Pay up or else... Beeb threatens 260,000 over-75s for refusing to pay TV licence
A QUARTER of a million elderly viewers who have refused to buy a TV licence are being threatened with visits from enforcement officers to make them pay up.
The £159 fee was imposed on over-75s a year ago. Now enforcers have sent letters telling them they face a knock on the door if they fail to act by August 4.
BBC bosses insist they are taking a gentle approach with the 260,000 viewers to encourage payment as the 12-month anniversary of the charge looms.
But over-75s in Maidstone, Bath, Cambridge, Guildford and Scotland all reported receiving a letter in the last few days, warning them their details will be passed to local enforcement teams.
Campaigners said the cases are “just the tip of the iceberg” and the letters are a “concerted attempt to tighten the screw”.
Capita, which enforces payment, is making so-called “customer-care” visits to pensioners’ homes from next month.
But the BBC last night insisted it is “simply not true” that enforcement letters have been sent to older people who previously held a free licence.
Campaign group Silver Voices said it had been contacted by six members who are over 75 and who received the “threatening” letter. At least two said they did hold the free licence previously.
The group insisted the number affected is likely to be much higher as many people have not come forward.
Its director Dennis Reed said: “I think 300,000 over-75s have been taken off the database since January because it’s the only way their figures add up.”
Failure to pay the TV licence can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 while failing to pay the penalty can lead to a prison sentence. Mr Reed said the BBC “now has to decide whether it is going to deliver on its threats to fine and potentially imprison hundreds of thousands of senior citizens”.
Lord Foulkes said: “I’m appalled at the insensitivity and double dealing of the BBC on this.They told us they wouldn’t take this action.” Lord Botham added: “The public can see through this Orwellian language and will never stomach the BBC intimidating the elderly.” The BBC said more than nine in 10 over-75 households have made arrangements for their new licence. They are only free for those who are claiming Pension Credit.