BBC boss: No U-turn on free TV licences
THE BBC was last night accused of forcing hard-up pensioners to go short on essentials to find the money for its TV licence.
It follows the corporation’s decision to press ahead with plans to make millions of vulnerable older people pay from August 1 – dubbed “spiteful Saturday”.
AgeUK said the broadcaster was aware many would have to choose between paying the £157.50 tax and eating or heating their homes.
Charity director Caroline Abrahams, below, said: “The BBC says their new scheme protects the poorest pensioners, but in their hearts they know hundreds of thousands of over-75s on low incomes are set to miss out.
“It will leave them with a big bill they won’t be able to pay unless they cut down on essentials.
“This is an utterly miserable situation that needs a lot more than warm words from the BBC to make better.”
Pensioners have been entitled to free TV licences for 20 years in a taxpayer-funded concession.
The scheme was due to end on June 1 after the BBC took on responsibility but refused to continue it. It was extended by two months due to the pandemic.
Writing exclusively in today’s Daily Express BBC chairman Sir David Clementi claimed the broadcaster was faced with a choice between continuing the perk or axing services.
He said: “I believe this decision was the fairest in the BBC’s power to make. It’s fairest for older pensioners who are most in need of extra help. And it’s fairest for all licence fee payers, because it means everyone can continue to receive the best programmes and services the BBC can offer.
“Some will feel we should do more. But this scheme will already cost the BBC £250million-a-year.
“Trying to copy the Government’s previous scheme would have cost us around £750million-ayear, rising to
£1billion by the end of the decade.” All viewers aged 75 and over who currently qualify for a free licence will have to pay unless they receive Pension Credit. Around 900,000 people receive the benefit, yet it is estimated that 1.5 million more could be eligible but do not claim. In total, 3.7 million people – some of the most vulnerable and isolated – will be forced to pay the fee in order to save the BBC cash.
Dennis Reed, of campaign group Silver Voices, is mobilising members to take direct action and not pay.
He said: “Our campaign has sparked a furious response from older people.
“Not only is their indignation about the Government and BBC reneging on a hard-won universal benefit, but it is also channelling bitterness about public indifference to their plight during the pandemic. Spiteful Saturday on
August 1 will be the day when we say enough is enough.”
Royal Navy veteran Harry Baker, 78, of Sleaford, Lincs., said he would rather go to prison than pay up.
Widower Harry said: “The BBC seem to think it can pay silly wages to presenters but when it runs out of money use taxpayers as a cash cow.
“If they want to send me to prison, let them. In fact, if I go to prison I could watch TV for free and I would be better off. I’ ve got nothing to lose.”
LOCKDOWN has meant we’ve all been watching TV re-runs. But the good news is that filming of shows such as Bake Off and Line Of Duty has started again.
Bring it on. Let’s get those tarts in the oven and follow the intricate investigations of the police’s anti-corruption units.