Yesterday the BBC annouced that it is to go ahead with a plan to end free TV licences for most over-75s, after a two-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic. That means more than three million households will be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee from 1 August. Only those who receive the Pension Credit benefit will be exempt.
The NPC are bitterly disappinted by this announcement, but will be continuing to campaign for this UNIVERSAL BENEFIT to be administerd by the government. In a press release NPC General Secretary, Jan Shortt, has said: “The news that the free TV licence for over 75s is to end from 1st August is absolutely devasting for the millions of pensioners who rely on their television for information, entertainment and company.
The press release is also available on www.npcuk.org 'In The News' section The NPC has created a poster which can be found here and we will continue the campaign. We would urge you to tweet
@BorisJohnson promised no one over75 would pay for a #TVlicence and you would sort it. Stop blaming the #BBC. 3.7 million over 75s will now have to choose to pay to watch TV or cut down on essentials like food & fuel or lose a source of info & company #BorisPromised #SwitchedOff or tell him in your own words what losing the UNIVERSAL BENEFIT means to you. Use the hastags #BorisPromised #SwitchedOff #BBC #TVlicence We would also urge you to sign and share the Age UK petitiion online at https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/64039/action/1?ea.tracking.id=Email1 A copy of the press release can also be found below.
NPC blames Government over BBC’S decision to end free TV licence for over 75’s
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention said: “The news that the free TV licence for over 75s is to end from 1st August is absolutely devasting for the millions of pensioners who rely on their television for information, entertainment and company. The NPC lays the blame for this draconian measure squarely at the door of the government, who have kicked responsibility to the BBC for this universal entitlement for our oldest and most vulnerable, knowing most will struggle to find the money to keep their TVs switched on. It is a cruel decision for the government to force the BBC to take, particularly while a great many over 75s are still self-isolating and afraid to go out because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This age group relies on their TV for the latest information on the easing of lockdown and shielding. The majority of over 75s are not online - so forcing them to switch off unless they pay for a licence is depriving them of their only means of obtaining key messages and, for many, their only companionship. This may well have a profound impact on their health and well-being in general, particularly if, as predicted, the coronavirus spikes again this winter. Over 75s will now have to choose between switching off permanently or finding the money for the licence to stay switched on - which could leave many having to decide between their TV or eating and heating. It is a choice that they should never have to make in the 21st century. The chancellor is busy handing out money to save businesses, but this government clearly has no concept of how most of our elderly live and how even those whose income goes just beyond the Pension Credit level, still struggle daily to make ends meet. ENDS *The National Pensioners Convention was set up in 1979 to champion the rights and welfare of the UK’s older people. It now represents more than 1.5 million people in over 1,000 different organisations across the UK and holds an Annual Convention – a pensioners’ parliament - to debate issues affecting older people.
Comments