Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

They are still veterans who fought for this country no matter what war it is and its our duty as a country to look after them..

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

Korea?

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

Make an exemption for veterans then. I don't really see the argument for deciding benefits based on if some members of the cohort to receive them are veterans or not.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

So what age limit wouldn't exclude veterans of one sort or another? Theoretically you would have to include everybody in getting a free TV Licence and free everything else.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

The age limit was imposed by Brown to limit numbers and therefore the cost.

My opinion is the license fee should be scrapped. If the BBC cannot stand on its own 2 feet then tough.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

That gets my vote ,it should sink or swim all on it's own.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

Many from this age group also have final salary pensions which the current near retirees would only dream of. They also retired earlier on these better pensions.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

the discussion shouldn't be about who gets what for free.

The issue is a state financed broadcaster were the population are forced to pay for whether they watch it or not.

It might have been a good idea 60 odd years ago, but time has most definitely moved on, and now is moving even quicker in regards to how the population consume their entertainment and news.

The licence fee model is outdated and not fit for purpose in this age.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

The problem is that the BBC’s size and reach is such that disrupting it in any way is not a trivial business. Putting it behind a paywall would reduce its income substantially with implications for those directly employed by the Beeb and also by the creative agencies it engages to make content for it. Making it a commercial PSB on the same model as ITV would disrupt the entire broadcasting landscape in the UK by creating a lot more advert space and driving down its value. Changing the BBC’s funding model is also politically difficult as the BBC enjoys widespread public support.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

A problem with the Licence fee model of funding is they have a relatively reliable known income and will spend ALL of it. They don't say, "this is how much we need" and adjust the fee accordingly.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

There are plenty of freeview channels other than the BBC.

---------- Post added at 18:43 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

And how many World War II veterans are there left now? Are they all poor? Of course they are not.

If those veterans were to have a free licence, that would be much more affordable than making it available to all over 75s.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

l am talking about all veterans..

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

So you are proposing that all veterans, regardless of wealth, should have a free TV licence?
Free food for the poor ones would do more good.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

They have put their life on ther line for King and Country so its not much to ask is it..

---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:24 ----------

That is for another thread but for some to be starving is a scandal in itself seeing we are one of the richest countries in the world.

Re: BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s
 

So, should are current serving forces or those such as the police, firefighters, paramedics also be issued with a free license ? Where exactly do we draw the line?

We have to have a bit of a reality check here, things such as free TV licenses and the winter fuel allowance need to move to being means tested.