TV licence fee for over-75s delayed amid virus crisis
THE BBC last night delayed plans to start charging over-75s for TV licences in a major victory for the Daily Express.
The broadcaster had planned to charge millions of pensioners the annual fee of £157.50 from June 1 but the scheme has been deferred until August 1 due to the coronavirus crisis.
The grace period came about after this newspaper revealed how 5.5 million elderly people could be forced into self-isolation with only their TV and radio for information and entertainment.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said the BBC’s decision was “a victory for common sense”.
She added: “While the decision is warmly welcomed we do question whether a delay of just eight weeks will be anything like long enough.
“If the experts are right and the virus continues to be a threat for many months to come a pause until August 1 will be a lot shorter than needed.”
The Daily Express, which has led a vocal campaign to force the BBC and the Government to keep funding the licence fee, has highlighted how important it is for older people to be kept abreast of the unfolding war against coronavirus.
On Sunday this newspaper asked the BBC about its charging plans in response to the virus and was told “our position on this hasn’t changed”.
Yet in a joint statement issued yesterday the BBC and the Government were forced into a U-turn.
They said: “The BBC’s priority over the coming period will be to do everything we can to serve the nation at this uniquely challenging time.”
Tory MP Rob Halfon, who has led calls for the scheme to be axed completely, said in this time of national emergency “now is not the moment to rip-off pensioners”.
He added: “To charge a licence fee at this time would be akin to Boots racking up the price of soaps and sanitisers in order to exploit the public need for these necessities.”
About 3.75 million over-75s will eventually have to pay for a TV licence or face the prospect of a fine or imprisonment. TV is seen as the main source of “company” for two in five people aged 75 and over.