We must keep TV licence fee free for our over-75s

Today we are issuing a rallying call to our Government to reinstate the free TV licences for over-75s.
TV licences for the over-75sTV licences for the over-75s
TV licences for the over-75s

The decision to slash free TV licences for more than three million pensioners has been widely criticised, and was described by Halifax MP Holly Lynch as “shocking”.

The Courier, with our sister titles across the North, is calling on the government to work with the BBC and reassure over-75s that they will still be entitled to free TV.

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More than 12,000 households in Calderdale have at least one resident aged 75 or older.

TV LicenseTV License
TV License

Last week, the BBC announced that the government funded, free over-75 TV Licence scheme would be replaced next year.

From Monday, June 1, 2020, free TV licences will be means tested, and only households where one person receives pension credit will qualify.

Up to 3.7 million pensioners who have received a free licence in the past will now be expected to pay more than £150 a year for access to TV.

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The decision has drawn criticism from the public, and more than 550,000 people have signed a petition, started by Age UK, calling on the government to reinstate the licence.

Your Courier is calling on the government to reinstate the free TV licence for all over-75s.

For the older population, many of whom cannot leave home, or do not have anyone to spend time with, TV is more than just background noise.

According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, almost half of pensioners rely on their TV as their main source of companionship.

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BBC director-general Tony Hall said that the move was “not an easy decision”, but argued that the policy was fair.

He said: “It would not be right simply to abolish all free licences.

“Equally, it would not be right to maintain it in perpetuity given the very profound impact that it would have on many BBC services.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said: “Make no mistake, if this scheme goes ahead we are going to see sick and disabled people in their eighties and nineties who are completely dependent on their cherished TV for companionship and news, forced to give it up.

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“Means-testing may sound fair but in reality it means at least 650,000 of our poorest pensioners facing a big new annual bill they simply can’t afford, because though eligible for Pension Credit they don’t actually get it. In the end this is the Government’s fault, not the BBC’s, and it is open to a new Prime Minister to intervene and save the day.”