May tells BBC: Don’t scrap free TV licences

DOWNING Street has urged the BBC to keep down exorbitant salaries to fund free TV licences for over-75s.

Theresa May told MPs yesterday she ‘wanted and expected’ the BBC to continue the free licence scheme when it takes over responsibility for the policy in 2020.

Currently, around 4.5million households are entitled to a free TV licence – which would usually cost £150.50.

But when the Governmentfunded scheme ends in 2020 it will be up to the BBC to decide whether to continue it.

It has suggested scrapping free licences altogether, raising the age of eligibility to 80 or restricting it to those who receive pension credit. These options are being considered despite more than 100 BBC managers earning more than the Prime Minister.

The broadcaster’s annual report revealed 106 members of staff were paid more than £150,000 last year – led by Director-General Tony Hall on £450,000.

Star salaries have also come in for flak with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker earning £1.75million a year while chat show host Graham Norton is on £600,000.

Opposition MPs and campaigners have warned that hundreds of thousands of over-75s will lose out if the scheme is ended, blaming the Government for devolving responsibility to the BBC. Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP Rosie Cooper said: ‘Nearly 7,000 pensioner households in my West Lancashire constituency could lose their free TV licences – often that’s their only source of company.

‘Is the Government going to keep their manifesto promise by taking back the responsibility they’ve outsourced to the BBC to ensure that older people keep their TV licences?’

Mrs May replied: ‘We want and expect the BBC to continue free licences.

‘I think taxpayers rightly want to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers fully for UK audiences.’

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘As the PM said, taxpayers will rightly want to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way.

‘This includes showing restraint on salaries for the senior staff.’

It emerged in December that some BBC bosses had enjoyed pay rises of up to 30 per cent. Nations and regions director Ken MacQuarrie saw his salary rise from £250,000 to £325,000.

Last night a spokesman said the BBC had held a consultation on the future of the scheme, adding: ‘We invited a range of views to help make the best and fairest decision and the consultation is now closed.

‘We will carefully consider all the responses and the BBC expects to make a decision by June this year.’