Beeb mulls axe as costs go on rising
BY OLIVER MILNE CHARITIES and MPs have blasted plans to strip millions of OAPs of free TV licences.
They spoke out after the BBC said they could limit the number of over-75s getting the perk to cut costs.
Deputy leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson said: “This would be a terrible blow to elderly people who struggle to make ends meet.”
He added that such a move would hit “those who are housebound or isolated and rely on their TV to stay in touch with the world.”
Jan Shortt of the National Pensioners Convention was also aghast at the idea, saying: “Many problems [the consession] sought to address are still around. Pensioner poverty is rising.”
She was backed by Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, who said: “Significant numbers of older people are poor and reducing pensioner poverty has stalled.
“For one in four, TV is their main companionship.”
At the moment, some 4.6million homes get the free licences. But the BBC say the subsidy could cost them £745million by 2021-22 – a fifth of their spending – as Britain ages. A discussion paper says it could means test the benefit or scrap it for those living with younger relatives.
Theresa May was challenged about the axe plan by Labour’s Ian Lucas. She said “it was a decision for the corporation.”
Labour introduced the subsidy in 2000 but in 2015 ministers pressured the BBC to start footing the bill.
The BBC take full responsibility for the subsidy from 2020.
The Beeb said: “This is an important discussion paper. We will do nothing without consulting with the public.”