BBC to scrap free licence fee for over-75s

[RichardCoulter]

There is uproar following the withdrawal of free TVL's for some pensioners and it wouldn't surprise me if one of the Tory leadership contenders (or the new PM if/when a general election is called) announces that the scheme will stay as it is in order to court votes.

This is particularly relevant as it was in the Tory manifesto that this benefit would remain in it's current form for the lifetime of this Parliament (expected to be 2022 at the latest) and older voters are more likely to vote and to vote Conservative.

They won't want to pay for it though, so I can see the BBC having to fund it through a combination of above inflation TVL increases and having to slash TV, radio and online services too.

In order to protect core services, I can see channels such as BBC Scotland, BBC4 etc being the first to go, CBBC/Cbeebies may go online only, Radio 1/2 closing or being sold off to the private sector and Radio 3 following the practice of Scala and Classic FM by playing prerecorded music without orchestras.

The BBC Scotland channel has mostly been paid for by closing BBC2 Scotland. During most of its broadcast hours it still simulcasts the network BBC2 output from London. All it really is is BBC2 Scotland with a bit of enhanced programming over and above the network opt-outs it already had, and some politically expedient branding. Its viewing figures are tiny but what it’s achieved politically in Scotland isn’t measurable in ratings. I suspect it’s here for the long haul.

[RichardCoulter]

I'm wondering if this will backfire on the Government as 40% of pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit don't claim it.

Reasons are varied, ranging from not bothering to claim small entitlements, to pride to ignorance of the scheme eg a lot think that there is a capital limit like other means tested benefits, which there isn't. Savings of up to £10,000 are ignored and people are deemed to be receiving £1 a week notional income for every £500 above £10,000.

If realising that they have to claim it in order to continue receiving a free TVL, it prompts them to swallow their pride, check to see if they are entitled or it becomes worth claiming a small amount that they were entitled to, the welfare bill and associated administrative costs will increase, possibly by more than they hoped to save by passing on the cost to the BBC (£2.97 per week per pensioner over 75).

The average amount of each successful claim is £58.

Of course, if more people become eligible for a free TVL than the BBC estimated under their new scheme, it will result in a further financial shortfall.

[RichardCoulter]

Ironically, last year 53 MP's claimed back £8,855 back that they had paid in TVL fees...

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Ironically, last year 53 MP's claimed back £8,855 back that they had paid in TVL fees...

Probably their second homes, but MPs are hypocrites, we all know that.

You're correct though, everyone is blaming the BBC, but it's the Govt. who have withdrawn funding for free TV licences, which seems to be ignored by certain media outlets in their anti BBC rants..

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Probably their second homes, but MPs are hypocrites, we all know that.

You're correct though, everyone is blaming the BBC, but it's the Govt. who have withdrawn funding for free TV licences, which seems to be ignored by certain media outlets in their anti BBC rants..

Convienent memory loss as usual..

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Probably their second homes, but MPs are hypocrites, we all know that.

You're correct though, everyone is blaming the BBC, but it's the Govt. who have withdrawn funding for free TV licences, which seems to be ignored by certain media outlets in their anti BBC rants..

The bbc agreed to its withdrawl, they even said they came out on top of the negotiations

[papa smurf]

What gets up my nose is you don't even get a chance to get near to 75 before they take it away,it was in my grasp only 12 years away ,i could smell the freebeeness on the wind,they won't win i'll get my revenge haaa haaa haa [strokes the cat] and snarls at the TV like a rabid dog.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

The bbc agreed to its withdrawl, they even said they came out on top of the negotiations

It was a condition of the Royal charter renewal. They knew they wouldn't be able to afford it obviously which is why 'it was up to them' if they continue it. They essentially decided to take the blame for the cut rather than the government as the price of charter renewal. The Government and the BBC knew what has happening.

---------- Post added at 15:05 ---------- Previous post was at 14:55 ----------

Originally Posted by papa smurf

What gets up my nose is you don't even get a chance to get near to 75 before they take it away,it was in my grasp only 12 years away ,i could smell the freebeeness on the wind,they won't win i'll get my revenge haaa haaa haa [strokes the cat] and snarls at the TV like a rabid dog.

Same with students who missed the cut before the fees increased to £3,000 or a few years later the next batch of students who missed out on the fees before they increased to £9,000.

(In case anyone was wondering I was in the last year in which fees were £1,300 )

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Damien

It was a condition of the Royal charter renewal. They knew they wouldn't be able to afford it obviously which is why 'it was up to them' if they continue it. They essentially decided to take the blame for the cut rather than the government as the price of charter renewal. The Government and the BBC knew what has happening.

---------- Post added at 15:05 ---------- Previous post was at 14:55 ----------



Same with students who missed the cut before the fees increased to £3,000 or a few years later the next batch of students who missed out on the fees before they increased to £9,000.

(In case anyone was wondering I was in the last year in which fees were £1,300 )

They'll find a way to get you

[richard s]

It is about time to end this licence fee crap BBC and go pay to view or do advertisements (I would bring a law in so that television advertisements must be shown between programs not during them).

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by richard s

It is about time to end this licence fee crap BBC and go pay to view or do advertisements (I would bring a law in so that television advertisements must be shown between programs not during them).

There isn't enough advertising revenue to go round (and it's currently in decline), if this was put forward as an idea, expect ITV etc to complain and for FTA channels to close.

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

There isn't enough advertising revenue to go round (and it's currently in decline), if this was put forward as an idea, expect ITV etc to complain and for FTA channels to close.

You mean demand the rubbish broadcast is reduced.

Let's not get too far off the topic and turn this into another interminable bash the BBC licence fee. There is another thread somewhere for that.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Chris

The BBC Scotland channel has mostly been paid for by closing BBC2 Scotland. During most of its broadcast hours it still simulcasts the network BBC2 output from London. All it really is is BBC2 Scotland with a bit of enhanced programming over and above the network opt-outs it already had, and some politically expedient branding. Its viewing figures are tiny but what it’s achieved politically in Scotland isn’t measurable in ratings. I suspect it’s here for the long haul.

Just been reading that the BBC said that BBC2 itself would be under threat had they continued with free licenses for all pensioners aged 75 or over.