Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HOPE IN VIEW ON TV LICENCE
No10 and BBC hold talks on charges for pensioners
THE fight to restore free TV licences for over-75s has received a boost after it was revealed Whitehall and the BBC are in talks over the row.
Culture Minister John Whittingdale told a Tory backbencher in a letter on the matter: “My officials have met with the BBC to look at ways it can further support older people, and discussions continue.”
Pensioners’ campaign group The Silver Voices said it was buoyed by the response. Director Dennis Reed added: “For months we have been urging the BBC and the Government to get together to find solutions to this dispute and we are pleased that this now seems to be happening.”
Bectu broadcasting union chief Philippa Childs said: “Free TV licences for the over75s is a welfare benefit that should be the responsibility of government and not the BBC. “I hope John Whittingdale’s intervention is a long overdue sign that government are recognising that they should be providing this benefit.” The BBC said last night: “We have said we are willing to work with government and charities on the implementation of the policy after government ended funding.”
Free TV licences for over-75s were introduced in 2000. But they were axed last year after the Tories ditched a promise to protect them by giving the BBC responsibilty for their funding.
Only those on Pension Credits are now eligible, meaning around 3.7 million have to pay £157.50 a year for a licence. The BBC said keeping them free for all over-75s would cost £745million by 2021-22. Department of Work and Pensions officials also held talks with the BBC amid fears some pensioners eligible for free licences are missing out because they do not realise they are.
Welfare minister Baroness Stedman-scott said: “We are awaiting the outcome of that meeting.”
Lord George Foulkes has tabled a parliamentary question on TV licences which is due to be answered on March 8. The Labour peer believes the Government should fund them for the over-75.
The Mirror has been campaigning to save the free TV licences.