Free Licence Fee For All Over 75's Scrapped

[ladybirder]

What do you think of that?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48583487

[THECORBYLOON]

OG "Reforming the current rules was backed by 37% of respondents, with 15% in favour of scrapping concessions of over-75s." That's where the 52% come from.

[Spicerack]

I'm on your side of the argument, nailit, but it's still a criminal offence not to have a licence.
The Commons tried to decriminalise it a few years ago but the Lords blocked them.
They can't jail you for not having a licence but they can, and do, for not paying the fine for not having a licence.

[Davemano]

This may answer a few questions.
Not covered by a TV Licence? You are breaking the law if you:
watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or
download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.

This applies to any device or provider you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/Blu-Ray/VHS recorder.

[vetuste_ennemi]

I don't see any any necessary moral obligation by government or anyone else to provide services to pensioners at a cheaper rate than that asked of non-pensioners. Such concessions are charitable options.

My objection to the paying a licence fee to the "national" broadcaster is not that I havto pay it, but that much of what I'm paying for is incessant propaganda, none of which is in the "national" interest, far less mine personally.

[dannyk13]

Now being discussed in the HOC. Media secretary has said BBC should do more to aid the old.Shadow minister says it must be overturned.

[pixie374]

Realistically, nobody should have to pay a licence fee nowadays. There are so many more choices than just BBC. If some are paying, then everyone should. Or it should be subscribed.

[dannyk13]

Pixie, you still need a tv licence whatever you watch.

[MTbowels]

I'm pretty sure that clawing back this money from pensioners has arisen because the elderly are regarded as affluent by many sections of society today. You just have to look at afternoon TV to see people being offered equity release on their property, life assurance and other dubious schemes to confirm this - they are targeting people who have worked all their lives and are viewed to have money in the bank, own their own property and retired from high earning jobs, despite the fact that this is not true for millions of people. The same idiotic logic has gone through the mind of some whizz-kid at the BBC no doubt and now they are targeting this untapped source of wealth.

[vulcan42]

To give the over 75's free viewing will cost the BBC £745 million, money received from selling BBC programmes worldwide last year- 1.2 billion. The BBC can afford to be generous to the elderly but they won't, too greedy.
( these figures are from a BBC blog )

[pixie374]

Yes, exactly, Danny. It would make sense, if there are concessions, for those that have trouble paying. That is nothing to do with age, though. They should just show adverts, which nobody watches anyway, like everyone else does.

[weecalf]

If I’m elected leader I will give the over 70s a free licence and a free tv .

[ladybirder]

I'm waiting for that weecalf LOL.

[hereIam]

I think it should stay as it is. My brother refuses to pay for a TV licence, a bit like nailit.

[ladybirder]

If any of you feel inclined to sign an Age UK petition to keep the TV Licence free for all over 75's here it is.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-free-tv-for-older-people/

[-SharonA-]

Signed!

[hereIam]

Signed.

[ladybirder]

Thank you ladies. I hope we see a some more signatures as this will probably affect quite few on here.

[ladybirder]

Anyone else want to sign?

[Mamyalynne]

signed

[tonyav]

Signed.