Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Johnson: BBC must pay... not the Govt
PM’S threat to ‘put the screws on’
BORIS Johnson threatened to “put the screws” on the BBC over free TV licences yesterday as he refused to fund the benefit.
The Prime Minister was tackled by Labour MP Jim Cunningham over the Tories’ broken manifesto pledge to save the lifeline for over-75s – which 3.7 million are set to lose.
Asked when the row was going to be sorted out, shameless Mr Johnson said: “The BBC has the funds. It is there, they should be funding those licences. We continue to make that argument vigorously with the BBC.
“And believe me, he [Cunningham] asked me to put the screws on the BBC, we certainly will.”
Bectu broadcasting union chief Philippa Childs shot back last night: “Boris Johnson knows very well the BBC doesn’t have the funds.
“The Government cynically outsourced its social responsibility for over-75s’ free TV licences to the BBC as part of the last licence fee settlement but it was clear the public service broadcaster would not be able to fund that in full.
“For the Prime Minister to suggest otherwise is simply not true.
CONCERNED
“Bectu members there will be extremely concerned to hear the PM threaten to ‘put the screws on’.”
The Tories promised at the 2017 election to protect the £745milliona-year benefit for the rest of the Parliament, due to run until 2022. But they handed the BBC responsibility for funding from June 2020 under a deal stitched up in 2015.
And Beeb plans to curb the benefit mean just 1.5 million OAPS are likely to continue receiving free licences.
Only over-75s on Pension Credit will be eligible – meaning 80% of those currently getting free licences will have to pay £154.50 a year.
Last month, the Mirror revealed TV licence conmen are targeting OAPS ahead of the restrictions.
Speaking during PMQS, Labour backbencher Chris Elmore warned that fraudsters are poised “to go door to door collecting the licence fee once the Government’s decision has been implemented”.
The PM suggested the 20,000 police officers being recruited could target conmen. But deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said: “It’s a disgrace that this Prime Minister would rather waste officers’ time with mopping up his mess than just step up, admit his cruel policy is a mistake and save free licences today. The Tories promised to keep free TV licences for over-75s but they have completely refused to fund them.”
The Mirror is campaigning to save the free licences, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight. And more than 600,000 people signed Age UK’S Switched Off petition.
BORIS Johnson cannot keep passing the buck on the decision to axe free TV licences for the over 75s.
The Prime Minister stood on a manifesto promise to protect this important lifeline.
Now he is trying to wriggle out of this commitment by blaming the BBC.
His tough talk about putting the screws on the station won’t wash. He knows the broadcaster does not have funds to cover the cost.
Instead of trying to duck his responsibility he should, for once, stick to his word and give the BBC the money it needs.