Telly cut is huge blow for elderly
■ I’m both saddened and appalled that the scrapping of free TV for pensioners over the age of 75 is going ahead. The detrimental impact this will have on the most vulnerable section of society is obvious, particularly among those who live alone and are afraid to go out due to the pandemic.
I’d much rather the £500million the Chancellor is spending on a £10 discount for meals out went to the pensioners instead. Going out for a meal is a luxury I can do without and I would much rather know that the elderly are respected by the present government.
Surely, Boris Johnson and co, and the bosses at the BBC, can see that the elderly have suffered enough during this Covid-19 crisis? Kathy Gentle-Green
South East London
■ In three weeks, free TV licences for three million over-75s will end. This isn’t the fault of the BBC, it is the result of the penny-pinching Tory Government refusing to fund the scheme which was introduced by Gordon Brown in 1999 and is a lifeline for many senior citizens, especially during this pandemic. The elderly have suffered enough, especially with the care home crisis – and now they are threatening to remove the pension triple lock. But we must not give up without a fight – once something is gone we won’t ever get it back. We have three weeks to show this Government the older generation is alive and kicking.
Alwyn Howell Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan
■ If you watch Netflix, Sky or similar streaming services you can end your subscription but everyone must pay for a TV licence. Is this right in a democratic country?
Youngsters today have different tastes to older people but as soon as they have their own home and TV, by law they have to pay the licence fee. Isn’t it time this tax was scrapped altogether?
Sadly, the BBC may find itself going the way of other organisations which are unable to cope in the modern world.
Eddie Fidler, Oxford
■ I’d just like to say a big thank you to the Tories for axing the free TV licence for the over-75s.
This is yet one more example of their utter disregard for the older generation, just as they are to blame for the excessive death toll in care homes because of their failure to do the right things at the right time during this pandemic.
And to think we have at least another four years of them. Harold Ennis, Ruardean, Glos
■ Scrapping the TV licence for over-75s is ill-judged, especially at this time. The elderly, more than any other group, are more isolated than ever and the TV is a great source of company for them.
Perhaps it would have been more prudent of the BBC to delay their decision until the environment was deemed a lot safer for the over-75s. Ken Pennington Stalybridge, Gtr Manchester
■ I am very disappointed to hear that vulnerable pensioners over 75 are set to lose their free TV licence which means they will need to find £157.50 a year to watch television.
For many this could mean having to choose between heating their homes, putting food on the table or watching TV.
The Government was wrong to stop funding this scheme. Amanda Brown
Pulham St Mary, Norfolk
■ I wonder if those pensioners who “lent” their votes to the Tories at the last election have come to see what a mistake that was now they are about to lose the free over75s TV licence. What a kick in the teeth for the older generation.
K Smyth, Accrington, Lancs