TV licence non payment could be made a civil offence

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Chris

They've been angling for it for years - this is not the first time someone has pointed out that online broadcasting will have to be brought within the remit of the licence at some point.

I think I can see the possibility of the TVL becoming a precept on top of council tax, with the collecting authority passing on the appropriate amount to the BBC as a 'PSB tax' or somesuch. I suspect, also, there is now a greater likelihood of an idea the BBC likes somewhat less : top slicing the fee so other broadcasters can apply for funding for public service programming.

So they now want to call it a tax, its been a tax in every way but name for many years.

From the article above

Rob Wilson, a Conservative MP and aide to the Chancellor, George Osborne, said: “I think the British people would be horrified by the prospect of a BBC poll tax. It should not be taking the easy option of a tax on every property that has nothing to do with BBC services, but rather exploits its high quality programming and extensive back catalogue.”

Asked about the proposals to introduce a “universal charge”, a BBC spokesman said: “Over its history, the licence fee has been modernised a number of times, from a wireless licence to one that now applies to tablets and computers.

“It is for Parliament and government to decide the next stages and the BBC looks forward to taking part in that debate.”

also the poll on that link is as follows


Would it be fair to pay the licence fee even if you do not own a television?

Yes - we should take the rise of online on-demand viewing into account 11.49% (722 votes)

No - this seems exploitative 86.28% (5,421 votes)

Undecided 2.23% (140 votes)

The BBC need to be brought to task and made to work for there money not just get handed it on a plate via a tax. Make it subscription and then they will find out if there programs are worth paying for.

---------- Post added at 09:50 ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 ----------



As soon as it is decriminalised i will not pay it.

Originally Posted by AdamD

....oh hell, Carl Waring? Scary stuff.

Indeed

[Jimmy-J]

“Over its history, the licence fee has been modernised a number of times, from a wireless licence to one that now applies to tablets and computers."

Put it behind a pay-wall.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Chris

They've been angling for it for years - this is not the first time someone has pointed out that online broadcasting will have to be brought within the remit of the licence at some point.

I think I can see the possibility of the TVL becoming a precept on top of council tax, with the collecting authority passing on the appropriate amount to the BBC as a 'PSB tax' or somesuch. I suspect, also, there is now a greater likelihood of an idea the BBC likes somewhat less : top slicing the fee so other broadcasters can apply for funding for public service programming.

I think you're pretty much on the money there, Chris.

[Escapee]

I suspect that as some have already mentioned, it will become a tax, either on earnings or most likely added to council tax. This will be good news for those who don't work or pay any tax as those who work will be paying it for them.

I suspect that this is the real reason why Labour are in agreement with it becoming a non criminal offence, it fits in with their political policy where those who work to pay and those who won't work get it for free.

Such a method of collecting the licence payment would be unfair because it would be compulsory for those tax payers who do not view the services.

Subscription/conditional access is the only fair method

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Escapee

I suspect that as some have already mentioned, it will become a tax, either on earnings or most likely added to council tax. This will be good news for those who don't work or pay any tax as those who work will be paying it for them.

I suspect that this is the real reason why Labour are in agreement with it becoming a non criminal offence, it fits in with their political policy where those who work to pay and those who won't work get it for free.

Such a method of collecting the licence payment would be unfair because it would be compulsory for those tax payers who do not view the services.

Subscription/conditional access is the only fair method

Indeed so the lazy gits that will not work and have never worked get free tv and the workers who have to fund the lazy gits benefits get shafted again. You can bet it will not get deducted from there benefits

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Sirius

You can bet it will not get deducted from there benefits

If you look at it that way about having money deducted from their benefits. you could have deductions of..

£14 for The bedroom Tax
£3 the TV licence
£4 Poll Tax
£2.50 Out of work Tax
£1.50 Burden Tax
£0.90 Dave Tax

every week.

after all the taxes, they'd have nothing left

Probably best to deduct a Robbing Tax just in case.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Gary L

If you look at it that way about having money deducted from their benefits. you could have deductions of..

£14 for The bedroom Tax
£3 the TV licence
£4 Poll Tax
£2.50 Out of work Tax
£1.50 Burden Tax
£0.90 Dave Tax

every week.

after all the taxes, they'd have nothing left

Probably best to deduct a Robbing Tax just in case.

If you say so.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Indeed so the lazy gits that will not work and have never worked get free tv and the workers who have to fund the lazy gits benefits get shafted again. You can bet it will not get deducted from there benefits

If Labour are agreeing it should be a civil offence, I'm sure they will have something like this up their sleeve should they get in. I expect it to appear in their manifesto to make sure they secure the votes of the shirking class.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Escapee

If Labour are agreeing it should be a civil offence, I'm sure they will have something like this up their sleeve should they get in. I expect it to appear in their manifesto to make sure they secure the votes of the shirking class.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Escapee

This will be good news for those who don't work or pay any tax as those who work will be paying it for them.

It's pretty similar to how things have been working in general regarding entertainment mediums as far as the last 10+ years have been concerned.

Working or not, those who insist on downloading stuff for free & who refuse to pay for media are being subsidised by those who do pay.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

It's pretty similar to how things have been working in general regarding entertainment mediums as far as the last 10+ years have been concerned.

Working or not, those who insist on downloading stuff for free & who refuse to pay for media are being subsidised by those who do pay.

Indeed. This is how it goes. Over 60% of all households in the UK are net beneficiaries from the state. As a wild generalisation it's not until a household's gross income breaks a little over 38k/year that they are likely to be paying more in tax than they are receiving in all kinds of services, benefits, etc, from the state.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

It's pretty similar to how things have been working in general regarding entertainment mediums as far as the last 10+ years have been concerned.

Working or not, those who insist on downloading stuff for free & who refuse to pay for media are being subsidised by those who do pay.

Cheating by downloading music etc via torrents is not limited to a certain class of society though is it. This though would mean free media services for a particular section of society with government blessing.

I can't understand why Labour didn't think of this idea years ago.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Escapee

Cheating by downloading music etc via torrents is not limited to a certain class of society though is it. This though would mean free media services for a particular section of society with government blessing.

I can't understand why Labour didn't think of this idea years ago.

They were worried the Conservative party would privatise it then subsidise it with oodles of taxpayers' cash in order to shovel yet more of our money into private pockets and buy more election donations and votes.

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Escapee

Cheating by downloading music etc via torrents is not limited to a certain class of society though is it.

You're quite right, it absolutely is not.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Gary L

If you look at it that way about having money deducted from their benefits. you could have deductions of..

£14 for The bedroom Tax
£3 the TV licence
£4 Poll Tax
£2.50 Out of work Tax
£1.50 Burden Tax
£0.90 Dave Tax

every week.

after all the taxes, they'd have nothing left

Probably best to deduct a Robbing Tax just in case.

What do you get for the 0.90 Dave tax?