Should The Licence Fee For Over-75S Be Means Tested?

[sp1814]

At the moment, if you're over 75, you don't have to pay the licence fee, however the BBC are considering the introduction of means testing.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/pensioners-could-lose-free-tv-licence-bbc-dwp-melvyn-bragg-a7748396.html

What do you think of the proposal?

[Islay]

If you can afford it you should pay it!

[wolf63]

I agree with Islay - what a thought !!!

[Old_Geezer]

I think the licence idea is daft and should be dropped. It saves all these daft bolt-on complications and the cost of persecuting anyone without a licence. Just fund the darned thing out of general taxation. It's an all benefit solution and I've yet to hear an argument against it that stands up.

[Kromovaracun]

The licence fee seems quite antiquated in a modern media landscape. But if we're keeping it, it hardly seems worth the cost to means test it. Means testing is expensive itself.

[emmie]

another tax on our already overtaxed lives, i would drop the licence fee like a hot brick if i were in charge.

[naomi24]

I don't know why it's free to over 75s. As far as I'm aware they're no worse off than any other pensioner.

[emmie]

my mother would have struggled to pay for a licence fee. her state pension just about covered her essentials.

[naomi24]

emmie, I presume she was in a similar situation before her 75th birthday too?

[youngmafbog]

The proposal is rubbish since the licence fee should be scrapped.

Secondly who is going to decide? The BBC? No way should they have access to peoples financial situation.

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24
/// I don't know why it's free to over 75s. As far as I'm aware they're no worse off than any other
pensioner. ///

That's a massive over generalisation, besides they have paid more in over their 75 plus years.

Did you know that when one reaches 80 one is given an extra 25p on one's pension, would you like to see that scrapped also?

[anotheoldgit]

If they do make some pensioners pay, then they should make it non compulsory for people to pay to watch the BBC.

If they don't do this then they should reduce the licence fee, since more will be paying in.

[Khandro]

If it was voluntary, to give the amount you thought the programmes were worth, I'm afraid I would be giving very little, we watch a bit of news, which is either heavily biased or fake, and the rest of our watching is DVDs and Youtubes.

[naomi24]

aog, //they have paid more in over their 75 plus years. //

How come? I presume like everyone else of that generation they retired at 65. I don't see why they should get any more than anyone else.

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24
Yes I can see where you are coming from, but I meant overall, into the country and don't forget they once paid a wireless licence.

[cassa333]

Rather than should this or that be given or taken away from pensioners or in fact anyone I will just say what. Have always said.

Any and all state payments should be means tested and given to the most vulnerable. That doesn't mean anyone with their hand out but those actually unable to fend or look after themselves.

[Peter Pedant]

// /// I don't know why it's free to over 75s. As far as I'm aware they're no worse off than any other pensioner. ///

I thought this was pretty gormless even for AB which in not exactly full of bleeding heart liberals

just wait until the poster is 75 and then I bet the squawking will begin !

[naomi24]

Peter Pedant, why is it gormless? Are 75 year old pensioners worse off than 73 or 74 year old pensioners?