Free TV licences scrapped

[TheOstrich]

For the vast majority of over 75's from 2020. You'll only get it if you're entitled to pension credit, which most pensioners don't qualify for.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48583487

I'm not sure if I'm in two minds about it or not . There's a strong argument that the BBC wastes money (eyewatering salaries, etc) and this is merely a way of offsetting their profligacy, and many people who have to pay it don't use the "terrestrial" channels much these days anyway.

I think they might have been better handing the administration of it back to the Government and calling it a "Communications Tax" or somesuch. What do you think?

[Kaz]

I think it's disgraceful, and speaking as someone who has already lost six years (almost 40k) pension and bus pass I am sick to death of all the older age "perks" disappearing before I get to them

[saundra]

Of just been having a mega rant over it as Well I object to the way bbc wast money like you say ossie
If you could get tv a that block bbc channel then I would kaz it's a shame for you my friend dossent get a pension either iv had a free licence for 2years and we got one when bill was 75 when he died I had to pay you can t win and of rain t

[Workingman]

There used to be a programme called Points of View where viewers could write in their comments. There is now a similar slot on BBC News 24 and I am sick of hearing, from editorial staff, that the BBC is never wrong. There is hardly ever an indication that viewers might be right, and certainly never any apologies.

And if I ever here any more "Viewers must understand..." or "Viewers must learn..." I will explode.

I am not totally against the licence fee, but I would like the BBC broken up and / or some of its output turned into pay per view. If those wither away then that might be a commercial lesson for the arty-farties.

Also the BBC Trust needs a good overhaul. 50% of its members should come from outside the broadcast medium, entertainment and arts, and 25% should be ordinary licence payers.

Pensions. My sister, my ex, all her sisters, all the girls from my time at secondary school - all picked off.

[molly]

There used to be a programme called Points of View where viewers could write in their comments. .

It's still on. Sunday afternoons. I hadn't realised it was still around but I happened to see the credits roll at the end of the programme yesterday.

[cromwell]

I think it's disgraceful, and speaking as someone who has already lost six years (almost 40k) pension

Now that is a real scandal.
So many women have been cheated with this. You play the game to the rules and then just before the end of the game the government changes the rules.

[victor]

Should be scrapped altogether

[medsec222]

Pensioners have had this perk for over twenty years. George Osborne certainly knew what he was doing when he transferred the responsibility for funding the free license over to the BBC. Of course the BBC wouldn't keep on funding it, it was a foregone conclusion. The majority of pensioners find the cost of living a struggle as most do not have occupational pensions or the means to generate some income after retirement.

Also something that is often forgotten regarding women's pensions. I am of the generation where women were encouraged to pay the reduced national insurance stamp and claim on the contributions of their husband. Nothing was ever said at the time that these women would get a reduced pension on retirement.

[Osc]

Over here, the government knows better than to mess with the grey vote - there were huge protests back in 2012 when it was proposed to do away with medical cards for over 70s, and the government backed off. If they wanted to stop the free tv license or free travel, there would be revolution. So far as I am aware, Irish pensioners are among the best treated in Europe.

[cromwell]

Osc, just asking - do you have a spare room?