Licence fee ‘kick in the teeth’ for pensioners

Sir, – I was bitterly disappointed by the announcement that the BBC are going to proceed with their plans to take away free TV licences from most people over the age of 75.

This is a kick in the teeth for older people during a terrible year.

Last year I, alongside 634,333 other Age UK supporters, signed a petition to keep TV free for all over 75s.

I never received a reply from government.

I cannot believe that we are still being threatened with this possibility.

Shame on you, BBC, and the present government.

Don’t you realise the impact this will have on so many seniors’ lives.

Lockdown was hard and without a TV a lot of us would have found it difficult to cope.

And now winter is fast approaching you are threatening us again.

I appeal to you on behalf of so many of my friends who do not use the internet to think again.

I have never before been given a freebie for it to be demanded back.

It is not the British way. I am really worried about older people on low incomes who will find it hard to find £150 plus a year to pay for a licence.

They will have to give up some other essentials, or try to survive without TV at all.

I am particularly concerned about older people battling loneliness and isolation, people who aren’t online and for whom the television provides a lifeline to the outside world, information, entertainment and companionship.

I implore you to work together and find a solution to save millions of older people from this decision which will cause enormous anxiety, distress and real hardship.

Jessie Denst. Riverside Park, Blairgowrie.