Fighting back to stop the Tory TV licence snatchers
The black-and-white generation turned out in force yesterday to defend their colour TV licences. We gathered on a noisy London pavement to protest at Tory plans to end free viewing for old folk.
It took place outside the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – renamed for the day the Department of Cuts, Muggers and Saboteurs – which is behind this act of political treachery.
Theresa May promised to keep our pensioner benefits but she refuses to fund the concessionary TV licence for the over- 75s, instead ordering the BBC to do so.
In the chilly March air we made our voices heard. If they have two brain cells to rub together, the politicians will listen.
We shouted loud enough, including me on a bullhorn – not a pretty sight – as a newly qualified beneficiary of the privilege given to two million pensioners by Gordon Brown in 2000.
A Labour Chancellor gave me this, and a Tory Chancellor wants to take it away.
As I said to Licence fee protesters
Parliament Street: “Thatcher was the milk snatcher. Her political heirs are licence snatchers.”
Among the hundreds at yesterday’s event, organised by the National Pensioners’ Convention and supported by the Daily Mirror, Ian Graddon, 76, came because for many people his age the £ 150 licence cost is too high.
He said: “For people on the basic pension this could be the difference between living decently or not. I paid tax my whole life, so has this whole generation.
“The idea this is free or a benefit is for the birds.”
Mthe demo in
argaret Tyson, 70, came down from Liverpool for the protest. “This is just austerity plain and simple and pensioners are Mrs May’s victims,” she said.
“There is no reason the Government can’t afford to pay this. And of course it is vulnerable pensioners who get stuck between the BBC and the government.”
Joan Plant, 88, said that for people like her, the cost could mean real hardship.
“I’m on a basic pension. So for me it would mean an impossible extra cost on my fixed income.
“If this happens I will have no choice but to give up my TV and I don’t think I should have to do that to save money for government.”
These are the old folk who are being ignored by the BBC’s fake “consultation” on the issue.
Corporation bosses say they can’t afford to pay the cost of financing this benefit – £546million rising to almost three-quarters of a billion by 2022. Among options under consideration are giving it only to over- 80s, or those on pension credit, or total abolition.
The financial burden was shifted to the Beeb by filthy-rich George Osborne as Chancellor.
He came in for sustained criticism from protester Maureen Childs, 80, who said: “This is just another cut and we shouldn’t have to foot the bill. The Government should support the over-75s, who need this as a lifeline.”
We moved on to the Betty Boothroyd Room in Parliament’s Portcullis House, where the campaign went up a notch.
The Mirror’s Dr Miriam Stoppard urged: “Television is an antidote to loneliness and isolation.
“One in three people over 65 live alone, leaving them prey to loneliness and isolation – meaning negative impacts on health and longevity. Loneliness can ruin your health – it is linked to cognitive decline and even dementia.
“TV is the only support some people have to end this feeling of loneliness.”
Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, said:
“For my mum, who is
75 this year, this is personal. Four in 10 people over 75 say the
TV is their main source of company.
“My mam watches me on the Parliament channel.
“This is a social benefit that should be paid for fully by the I back the Daily Mirror and Age UK’s campaign to safeguard free TV licences for the over-75s. Name....................................................................................... Address.................................................................................... ................................................................................................. Email (if you have one)............................................................ government and not the BBC. Keep fighting to make sure we keep the licence free.”
Political determination to do just that came from Shadow Pensions Minister Jack Dromey. He said: “Pensioners built Britain and deserve a happy and healthy retirement.
“A sacred duty of any government is to support them. You can count on Labour to be 100% behind you.”
Good to hear, as this is the thin end of a very dangerous Tory wedge.
If they can get rid of our TV licences, what hope is there for the bus pass? And the winter fuel allowance? And the triple-lock up-rating of the pension itself ?
The fightback starts here with the social right to enjoy TV in old age. Dr Stoppard is right – TV can do a lot to alleviate loneliness in the home.
The doctor has diagnosed. Her prescription should remain free.
■ Extra reporting, Oliver Milne SUPPORT Dr Miriam
Save free over-75s TV licence