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

[ladybirder]

Thank you Tony and Mamya for signing.

I'll put the petition here again now we're over the page in case anyone else want to sign..

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

[tonyav]

Might be worth posting it on chatterbank to, ladybirder.

[237SJ]

I completely agree that the free licence should be scrapped for over 75s (unless they are are in receipt of pension credits)

[vulcan42]

signed

[andres]

signed .

[Sqad]

LOl...I admire you 237......a brave post.

[woofgang]

government petition too. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/234627

[237SJ]

The thing is Sqad, I`m in the "sqeezed middle". Born in the 60s, worked all my life, have to contribute to NI for 35 years to get a measely pension which I now won`t get until I am 67 and even that won't be the full entitlement due to the fact that I made provision for myself and opted out via SERPS and so I am now paying extra NI to make up for it. So I am a little sick of hearing how the 'never had it so good generation' are whinging about their TV licence fees.

[pixie374]

There are plenty of very well-off over 75s. I don't mind subsidising those that need it, but not everyone does.

[ladybirder]

Thanks woofgang.
237sj I've never thought it fair that everyone of 75 and over should get it free. There are many well off pensioners who neither need or want it free. I have friends who would send it back if they could find someone to take it. The likes of Alan Sugar getting it is ridiculous. But I feel restricting it only to those on PC is too harsh as those that fall just outside of this benefit could be hard pushed to afford to pay for their licence and those are the ones I am concerned about. Next year's State Pension increase will be wiped out if this is enforced. I also think it is not the business of the BBC but the Government to sort out.

[Davemano]

signed

[pixie374]

A different and fairer way of means testing would be a good idea. I would sign for that.

[ladybirder]

Good. Shall we start a petition Pixie?

[pixie374]

Yep! X

[jourdain2]

Thank you Ladybird, signed. Hello again.

[Lie-in King]

Signed.

[Muntin]

signed

[THECORBYLOON]

If you think it should not be free only to those on Pension Credit, how would you determine who should be exempt?

If it is based on income or savings, there will always be those who fall just outwith the maximum figure.

The same applies to means-tested benefits where entitlement is reduced according to income or capital. If someone has an income or capital that exceeds the limits by even a penny, that benefit is not payable.

Regardless of the method used, there will always be those who miss out.

[ladybirder]

Hi Jourdain, nice to see you back, and thank you all new signees.
TCL I don't know enough about the benefit system to answer your questions but to put it simply if people are eligible for PC they will surely be on the edge of poverty. So anyone just missing out being eligible can't be very well off either and therefore I think the bar should be raised a little higher. That's the best way I can put it. I don't expect it to be easy nor do I expect it to happen.

[THECORBYLOON]

Whether you chose income of under £100 or £200 per week or savings of under £16,000 or £26,000 as being indicators of poverty, a single penny above any of them would mean no free licence.

There will always be losers.