Over-75s ‘will live in fear of prosecution’ over non-payment of television licence fee
Charity warning over BBC forcing elderly to pay for watching television in just three weeks’ time
MILLIONS of pensioners face the threat of criminal action for up to two years if they fail to start paying for a television licence, after it emerged that the Government wants a lengthy consultation before any change to the law.
The BBC angered ministers and campaigners by announcing on Thursday that it will start to force millions of elderly people to pay the £157.50 annual charge in just three weeks’ time.
Last night, Age UK told The Daily Telegraph that “a small number of over75s have told us that they may deliberately break the law as a matter of principle, to express their disgust” at the BBC’S plans.
Around three million over-75s face having to pay for the previously free service by Aug 1 or risk a criminal prosecution. A further 1.5million who receive pension credit will continue to receive the free licence fee.
Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, warned the BBC on Thursday that the decision would “have an impact” on whether non-payment is downgraded from a criminal offence.
His comments raised hopes that the Government could move to remove the threat of a criminal prosecution.
However, it emerged yesterday that Mr Dowden had said in April that decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee would take “a large number of months, taking you through to 2021, 2022” because of the need for another consultation, which takes typically three months, plus more time for the Government to respond, before a change in the law is pushed. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The fact that the BBC’S new scheme is set to be introduced at a time when it is still a criminal offence to watch TV without a licence will simply increase the anxiety many older people already feel about having to get to grips with a new TV licence regime.
“We know that some older people are aware that the BBC intends to introduce its scheme from Aug 1 and will be deeply concerned to ensure they have done everything necessary to ‘comply’, with only three weeks now to go.
“In fact, the BBC has said that no one has to do anything at this stage until they receive a letter, but that nuance is likely to have eluded some older people, who will be fearful.”
A BBC spokesman said: “Our focus is on making this transition as easy as possible. Over 1.5 million households are eligible for a free licence and for those who have to pay they have a range of options to choose from.
“Decriminalising the fee could cost the BBC up to £1billion over five years and have a big impact on services.”
A Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “We are bitterly disappointed by the BBC’S decision not to extend the licence fee concession beyond August. The BBC remains responsible for the concession and for setting out what those affected need to do. It must now look urgently at how it can use its substantial fee income to deliver for audiences of all ages, including by making efficiencies.”