BBC timing on TV licence change is ‘insensitive’, says Dame Esther Rantzen

DAME Esther Rantzen has said the BBC’S timing in ending the universal free TV licence for over-75s is “insensitive”.

But the broadcaster and Silver Line founder, 80, said it was the action of politicians that felt like a “slap in the face to older people”.

Her comments come after the BBC said it would start meanstesting the entitlement from

August 1, having previously delayed its introduction because of the pandemic.

The BBC has said that continuing the universal entitlement would hit “programmes and services”.

Dame Esther said that it would have been “kinder” if the BBC waited until September when life could be easier for pensioners.

“The BBC probably feel that their reputation is very high at the moment,” said the former That’s Life presenter.

“They’ve been a fantastic source of news, they’re offering educational programmes for children who can’t go to school.

“So they’re taking advantage of this moment but I think that they should have left it until September, when life would have eased up a bit for all of us, particularly for older people.”

She said: “I think if the BBC had waited until the autumn it would have been kinder.

“But my main criticism at the moment is for the politicians. I do think that (Culture Secretary) Oliver Dowden, who said he felt let down by the BBC, was shifting blame.

“It was Gordon Brown who decided to make this gift of free television licences, and it was George Osborne (then chancellor) who took it away and said the Government would no longer fund it.

“And that’s what feels like a slap in the face to older people.”

Dame Esther said: “I think the isolation that they’ve (older people) been going through, particularly during the pandemic, it’s been intensified.

“And they depend upon their television for company, for keeping them in touch with the world outside.

“And many of them are not comfortable with the internet.

And so it is their only means of contact with the outside world.

“And it makes their life worth living.

“I think it’s insensitive timing and the politicians are just using it to scapegoat the BBC when it’s in fact, their responsibility.”

Over-75s must receive pension credit to receive the free television licence, which costs those who pay £157.50, from August 1.

Dame Esther said the BBC should launch a “major campaign to persuade those who are eligible for pension credit to apply for it”.

Her comments come after Mr Dowden said he felt “let down” by the BBC.

Speaking at a recent Downing Street coronavirus briefing, he said people “up and down the country” would feel the same way about the BBC’S move to begin means-testing.