TV licences: BBC to go forward with over-75s licence charge adjustments

The BBC is to go forward with a plan to finish free TV licences for many over-75s, after a two-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Which means greater than three million households will likely be requested to start out paying the £157.50 charge from 1 August.

Solely households the place somebody receives the Pension Credit score profit will nonetheless be eligible for a free licence.

The BBC mentioned the brand new scheme is “the fairest resolution”, however the authorities mentioned it was “deeply irritating”.

Why has this resolution been taken?

The controversial change was initially because of be made on 1 June, and the BBC mentioned the delay had value £35m a month.

The price of persevering with to offer free licences to all over-75s might have reached £1bn a yr over time with an ageing inhabitants, in keeping with the company.

• Do I want a TV licence and what does it pay for?

BBC Chairman Sir David Clementi mentioned the choice had “not been straightforward”, however the broadcaster is underneath “underneath extreme monetary stress” and an additional delay would have had an affect on programmes.

• BBC delays over-75 TV licence charge adjustments

The BBC has beforehand warned that making no adjustments would have led to “unprecedented closures” of companies.

It has additionally beforehand mentioned it should make an additional £125m financial savings this yr because of the pandemic, together with the price of delaying the over-75s adjustments.

Free TV licences for the over-75s have been offered by the federal government since 2000, however duty for the availability was handed to the BBC as a part of its final licence charge settlement.

What has the response been?

Responding to Thursday’s announcement, tradition minister Matt Warman wrote: “The Company’s settlement – to which they agreed – is beneficiant and adequate.”

However Labour’s shadow tradition secretary Jo Stevens mentioned: “The refusal of the federal government to fund this important service after promising to take action is nothing in need of betrayal.

“Many over-75s have spent months at dwelling with TV offering a useful supply of firm in the course of the pandemic. For the federal government accountable the BBC who’re having to cope with enormous cuts is solely passing the buck.”

Julian Knight MP, Conservative chairman of the Home of Commons tradition choose committee, known as the state of affairs “a large number” and mentioned the brand new regime can be “a physique blow to tens of millions of British pensioners”.

Many over-75s will discover it tough to pay as a result of they aren’t on-line and could also be both unable to unwilling to go away their houses, Mr Knight added.

Broadcaster and Labour peer Dame Joan Bakewell mentioned some older folks might and may pay – however there’s a “struggling center” who will battle.

“The wealthy outdated have plenty of financial savings and investments, and so they can nicely afford it,” she instructed BBC Radio 5 Stay.

However she added: “Not sufficient will get it free. There are layers of individuals above the incomes [level] that will get you the profit who additionally ought to be allowed to have a free licence charge… It is the struggling center who maybe discover life costly however will not be diminished to needing state advantages.”

She added that she had hoped incoming director basic Tim Davie might have introduced “some unique pondering” to discover a higher answer.

There was an outcry in 2019 when the BBC introduced it might finish the scheme for all however these receiving Pension Credit score.

Greater than 630,000 folks signed a petition arrange by the charity Age UK, which known as on the prime minister to take motion.

How will the brand new system work?

The BBC mentioned there can be a “Covid-safe” cost system, which means folks can apply on-line, and there will likely be a devoted telephone line and help employees.

“No-one must take any speedy motion, or depart their dwelling, to assert for a free TV licence or pay for one,” an announcement mentioned.

TV Licensing will write to all licence holders aged over 75 with clear steering about pay, it mentioned.

Virtually 1.6 million folks declare Pension Credit score, in keeping with the newest authorities figures. Of these, 450,000 have already utilized for a free licence.

Are you over 75? What’s your response to this announcement? You may get in contact by way of electronic mail [email protected].

Please embrace a contact quantity if you’re keen to talk to a BBC journalist. It’s also possible to contact us within the following methods:

Comply with us on Fb, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. You probably have a narrative suggestion electronic mail [email protected].