Helpline left with no one to assist
A HELPLINE for OAPs confused over being made to pay for a TV licence does not work, it emerged last night.
The BBC announcement last week gave 3.7 million pensioners just 22 days’ notice they’ll be taxed for watching.
TV Licensing, the organisation responsible for collecting the cash and enforcing compliance, launched a free information line for those who “may need extra support”.
It provides “recorded information on the new policy”.
But worried callers – many of whom are vulnerable and concerned about the new scheme – were left confused at the
weekend as a recorded message said: “We’re sorry our contact centre is now closed; if you wish to listen to the information about the changes to the over-75s licence again, you can redial this number.”
No further information was supplied, except a website address.
Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said: “This launch has already gone off at half-cock and TV Licensing is not ready for the enormous task they have taken on.”
Earlier this year, outgoing BBC director general Lord Hall told MPs: “We will do everything we can [to simplify payment] because I don’t want to see people going to court.
“It’s conceivable. But we don’t want that, we absolutely don’t.”