The BBC’s plan to scrap the free TV licences for the over-75s has been described as the “wrong decision” by the Prime Minister but he has said he will not intervene. The announcement looks set to affect more than three million households.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson has said: “This is the wrong decision. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe that they should be funded by the BBC”. Although the spokesperson added: “It is the BBC which is responsible for the administration of the over-75s concession”.
However leading age charities and Labour’s shadow culture secretary have taken exception with the government on this and has accused the government of passing the buck.
The free TV licence began in 2000 under Tony Blair’s Labour government but since 2015 the BBC took on responsibility for funding it as part of the charter deal agreed with the Government in 2015.
Some are particularly angered with this decision as Britain’s elderly population has had free access to live television and the BBC iPlayer service through the lockdown and was an invaluable lifeline.
Age UK, who last year garnered more than 630,000 people to sign a petition against the proposals when they were first announced last year has described the announcement as “a kick in the teeth for millions of over 75s who have had a torrid time during this crisis”.
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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