People in 90s may face court for TV fee

BBC boss Lord Hall has admitted it is “conceivable” that 90-yearolds could end up in court for non-payment of the licence fee but says “we absolutely don’t want” that.

The BBC director-general was quizzed by MPs at an uncertain time for the broadcaster, and said there could be a “paring back of services” if it is hit by coronavirus.

The government has mooted the possible end of the licence fee, with a threat to turn the BBC into a subscription service, while the universal free TV licence for over-75s ends this year.

Lord Hall was asked if he “was really prepared to take 80 or 90-year-olds to court” for nonpayment of the licence fee.

“We have got a special team to make sure our communications with the over-75s is sensitive and we’ll do absolutely everything we can to make sure they understand what they need to do,” Lord Hall told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee.

“I don’t want to see people going to court, of course I don’t.

“It’s conceivable but we don’t want that. We absolutely don’t want to get there.”

MP John Nicolson told the BBC boss: “Imagine the reputational damage. The distress caused to these old people...

“You’d be in the bizarre position of sending out your news teams to cover 90-yearolds potentially up in court for non-payment of the TV licence because of a system you, Lord Hall, signed up for.”

BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said only a judge can deliver a custodial sentence, saying “the BBC cannot possibly send people to jail”.

Clare Sumner, director of policy at the BBC, told MPs: “It’s highly unlikely,” adding: “We are doing everything to help support people to pay.”

The current scheme in which all over-75s receive free TV licences will be restricted to those who claim pension credit from June this year.

Lord Hall: Under pressure.