Bakewell urges over-75s who ‘love the BBC’ to opt in and pay towards TV licence fee
BROADCASTER Joan Bakewell has urged over-75s to opt in and pay the BBC licence fee to help the corporation after it controversially took on responsibility for their funding.
The corporation agreed to pay for the free licence fees in a deal that will be phased in from 2018/19 with the BBC paying the full bill from 2020/21. The move is expected to cost it about £725 million a year.
Ms Bakewell compared the free licence fees to the winter fuel allowance given to pensioners regardless of their personal wealth.
Possible alternatives are expected to include a household tax or a subscription system. The BBC’s website could also be scaled back and there are fears of further cuts to the broadcaster’s funding.
She said: “So what can we over-75s do? The BBC says it will introduce a scheme for those who want to opt back in to paying the licence fee. But that will take time.
“Right now I’m told the best plan is to get in touch with TV licensing, who collect the fee, and tell them you want to start paying again. If you love the BBC, and if you can afford £2.80 a week, what are you waiting for?”.
Bakewell was a familiar figure on BBC TV and radio for many years including stints with Newsnight and the discussion show Heart Of The Matter.
There are fears over the future of populist shows such as The Voice, The Great British Bake Off, Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing and Sherlock following the shake-up.
It is being claimed the Conservative Government wants the broadcaster to return to its public service roots.
Chancellor George Osborne has stated the BBC must make a contribution to reducing the deficit.
An expert panel has been appointed to head up an investigation into the BBC’s dominant market position.
A Green Paper is expected to be published this week on the BBC’s current funding model of the licence fee.