Keep TV licence free for over-75s... say young people
MOST young adults believe it is wrong for the BBC to force people over 75 to pay for a TV licence, a poll for the Daily Express found. per cent also believed it was wrong
In total 62 per cent of 25 to that only those who qualified for 34-year-olds and 63 per cent of 18 pension credit would receive a free to 24-year-olds described the TV licence from next year. Just 22 controversial move as unfair. per cent thought that was fair.
The corporation announced last Three-quarters of Britons month it would end free TV quizzed said they were also licences for the over-75s in a bid to concerned about elderly people save £745million. being visited by an outreach team
Instead only over-75s who claim to ensure they pay their TV licence. pension credit will qualify.This will In a separate study, threequarters cost the BBC about called for £250million. the TV licence fee
Our survey has to be scrapped and dismissed the idea replaced with a put forward by some voluntary commentators and subscription think tanks that the service. older generation Rebecca should be treated Kennelly, director less generously in of volunteering order to promote for the Royal “inter-generational Voluntary Service, fairness”. said she was not
A report from the surprised by the House of Lords has younger called for the generation’s scrapping of free bus Volunteers... Rebecca concern for older
Kennellypeople. passes,TV licences and winter fuel allowances for She said: “Over the last five pensioners with savings – with the years, we have seen an increasing savings diverted to younger people, number of young people coming especially those struggling to get on forward to volunteer for us. to the house ladder. “Having younger volunteers can
But when asked if it was wrong be beneficial, especially to older that some older pensioners will people in hospital environments. now have to decide whether they “Often their role is about can afford to pay or give up their providing companionship and the televisions, three-quarters of resulting intergenerational people aged 18 to 34 said it was friendships and conversations can unfair. significantly improve patient
And when asked if it was fair that mental health. pensioners had to pay towards the “These interactions are positive £6million salary package of the for young people, too.They tell us broadcasters top 10 earners, the that they enjoy listening to the answer was a resounding no. wealth of experience, wisdom and
More than half of young people stories, and also have gained a new said it was unfair, found the survey appreciation for the challenges of 2,000 UK adults of all ages faced by older people and want to carried out by OnePoll. Nearly 70 do more to help.”