End of free TV for over-75s ‘a kick in the teeth’

THE END of the free TV licence for over-75s will feel like a “kick in the teeth” to pensioners, campaigners have said.

The BBC has announced that means-testing will begin next month, saying continuing the universal entitlement would hit programmes and services.

The new scheme was originally meant to start on June 1 but was delayed and kept under review because of the pandemic.

Age UK said the start of meanstesting would feel like a kick in the teeth to pensioners and called on the Government to “sit down with the BBC urgently” to work out a deal.

BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said “implementation of the new scheme will be Covid-19 safe”, adding “the BBC could not continue delaying the scheme without impacting on programmes and services”.

Over-75s who receive the free TV licence, which costs those who pay £157.50, will have to receive pension credit.

“Critically, it is not the BBC making that judgment about poverty. It is the Government who sets and controls that measure,” Sir David said.

The BBC had been under severe financial pressure due to the pandemic, he added.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he disagreed with the move. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “We’re bitterly disappointed by this decision on behalf of the millions of over75s who have had a torrid time over the last few months and for whom this must feel like another kick in the teeth during a terrible year.”

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairman Julian Knight called it a “body blow”.