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Published on: 21/09/2018 06:42 AMReported by: roving-eye
Britain's oldest pensioners are at risk of losing free TV licences, under a Government shakeup over how the BBC is funded.
Britain’s oldest pensioners are at risk of losing free TV licences under a Government shakeup over how the BBC is funded, in a controversial move charities warn could have a devastating impact on vulnerable older people.
Free TV licences for over 75’s are currently paid for by the Department for Work and Pensions, but from 2020 the BBC will be expected to foot the whole bill which is estimated to cost £725 million a year.
Over 75s do not immediately become eligible for a free licence but instead need to apply on their 75th birthday. If you are aged 74 and your TV licence is up for renewal you may be able to get a short-term licence, which will be valid until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
BBC Director-general Lord Hall told the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this week: “The concession, as it is currently formulated, comes to an end in June 2020.
“That was part of the last licence fee settlement. We, the board, have got to decide what to replace it with.”
He stopped short of guaranteeing free TV licences for over 75s. “We have got to be mindful, we know that those over 65 or over 75 consume many, many more BBC services than others. There is real hardship among some or many of those over 75 too.
“It (free TV licences) could be the same. The board could say, we will just continue with it as it is. It could be reformed. There’s a whole load of options.
“We are just not in a position to say what the right option will be. We have got to have a public consultation about what we do.”
Caroline Abrahams, director of the charity Age UK, warned against scrapping free TV licences for older people.
She said: “Increasing numbers of older people who live alone say their main form of companionship is their TV and for many others, especially those who are housebound, TV is a precious window on to the world.
“Anything that makes it harder for older people like these to enjoy watching TV would be a source of great concern to Age UK.”
Mr Hall told the Committee that the BBC board would come to a final decision in autumn or winter.
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silver fox says:21/09/2018 08:21 AM
This is how this government operates, pass the expense to some one else, then blame the third party for any cuts, just as the cuts to local authority work. Government cuts the funding, but of course it's the local council which makes the cuts to services and carries the can
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gazaprop says:21/09/2018 10:55 AM
Originally Posted by silver fox
This is how this government operates, pass the expense to some one else, then blame the third party for any cuts, just as the cuts to local authority work. Government cuts the funding, but of course it's the local council which makes the cuts to services and carries the can
This is right - of course there was an option Councils opposed to the cuts could have taken - and that was to refuse to implement them.
This would have meant setting an illegal budget and risking prosecution. The vast majority of Councillors 'opposed' to the cuts chose not to do this and instead, by implementing them, vicariously supported jobs being lost and a massive reduction in the level of services provided.
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MargeSimpson says:21/09/2018 12:01 PM
Originally Posted by gazaprop
This is right - of course there was an option Councils opposed to the cuts could have taken - and that was to refuse to implement them.
This would have meant setting an illegal budget and risking prosecution. The vast majority of Councillors 'opposed' to the cuts chose not to do this and instead, by implementing them, vicariously supported jobs being lost and a massive reduction in the level of services provided.
But these same councillors in Sefton (or, more specifically, the LABOUR ones, who outnumber the others) do not consider it appropriate to either reduce their own numbers and/or reduce the amount of money they are being paid.
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gazaprop says:21/09/2018 01:43 PM
Originally Posted by MargeSimpson
But these same councillors in Sefton (or, more specifically, the LABOUR ones, who outnumber the others) do not consider it appropriate to either reduce their own numbers and/or reduce the amount of money they are being paid.
Again, this is true.
I believe any Councillor, right up to and including the Mayor, should be paid expenses only and by this I mean along the lines of - present your bus ticket and get a chit to take to petty cash - nothing else other than perhaps a cup of tea.
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silver fox says:22/09/2018 06:27 PM
Originally Posted by gazaprop
Again, this is true.
I believe any Councillor, right up to and including the Mayor, should be paid expenses only and by this I mean along the lines of - present your bus ticket and get a chit to take to petty cash - nothing else other than perhaps a cup of tea.
I agree we have too many councillors, BUT, if you go for unpaid councillors then you will only get the wealthy or those with a private income standing for the position, that like it or not will produce a very one sided council whose interests will not tally with those of the electorate.
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