All over-60s ‘should cancel TV licence fee direct debit’
SENIOR citizens have been urged to cancel their TV licence direct debits in protest over the BBC’s decision to start charging older pensioners.
Campaigners called for anyone over 60 to show their anger at the axing of free licences for the over-75s through direct action as the corporation pushes ahead with imposing a fee from August.
Silver Voices, an independent group for older people, said making the elderly pay to keep contact with the outside world was callous, particularly during the coronavirus crisis when many are more isolated than ever.
They want people to pay by cheque instead to cause disruption to the licensing payment system.
The call for direct action comes as Lord Foulkes, who has been campaigning for the over-75s to keep the free licence, today raises the charging row in the House of Lords.
At the height of the pandemic the BBC delayed introducing the fee until August. But it is now pushing ahead with the controversial reform.
Dennis Reed, Silver Voices director, has written to BBC bosses giving notice that from August 1 the campaign group will call on everyone over 60 to support its plan for direct action.
He wrote: “Many of our members over the age of 75 have volunteered to refuse to pay the licence fee, but we do not want them to stand alone.
“Initially therefore, we are calling on all those over the age of 60 to withdraw from direct debit arrangements with TV licensing and to notify them that, in future, all payments and correspondence about the fee will be conducted by cheque and post.” He said the BBC had ignored calls to hold talks with the government to find a way to keep the benefit free.
Mr Reed added: “It is callous for the BBC and the Government to leave the threat of introducing licence fees hanging over the heads of millions of senior citizens, many of whom are shielding or in self-isolation for their own protection.
“TV is often the only constant companion for the over-75s, to provide information about the pandemic and to keep us in touch with reality.”
Nearly four million over-75s will be hit with the £157.50 annual bill.
Only homes where someone receives pension credit will still be able to watch the corporation’s services without paying.
But some 1.2 million pensioners who are eligible for the support do not receive it, with some unaware they are entitled to it and others reluctant to admit they need extra help.