Daily Record

BBC licence decision is ‘insensitiv­e’

- BY SHERNA NOAH

DAME Esther Rantzen has said the BBC’s timing in ending the universal free TV licence for over-75s is “insensitiv­e”.

The broadcaste­r, 80, spoke out after the BBC said it would means-test the entitlemen­t from August 1, having previously delayed its introducti­on because of the pandemic.

The BBC has said that continuing the universal entitlemen­t would hit “programmes and services”.

Dame Esther said: “I think if the BBC had waited until the autumn, it would have been kinder.

“But my main criticism is for the politician­s. I think that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who said he felt let down by the BBC, was shifting blame. And that’s what feels like a slap in the face to older people.”

 ??  ?? ‘WAIT’ Esther Rantzen
‘WAIT’ Esther Rantzen

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