The BBC is set to axe free TV licences for the over 75's in June next year.
The history of free TV licences for older people is that it was paid for by the DWP.
However, in a deal brokered by George Osborne when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, it was agreed that the BBC would continue to provide this service if they could raise the cost of the TV licence.....so the TV licence went up.....and the BBC promised to keep it free....they even said they would be 'ahead' in this deal.
So now they have reneged on this promise.
Only those in receipt of pension credit will be exempt from this tax(it is a tax).
Now, many older people will just be over the limit to claim this benefit.....and many of those who would qualify are reluctant to apply as they are in the generation of the 'proud'.
There is currently a petition running to get this decision debated in Parliament.
I am going to post a link....please will you sign this?
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/234627
For many older people who are housebound, their TV is the only voice they can be sure to hear daily....it is their link to,the outside world.
All of us know someone elderly who likes their TV, but is on limited funds.
In spite of what some people would have you believe there are a lot of pensioners out there who are not rich....who get few pleasures in life.
Thank you in advance