MPs continue to press the Government on sweeping reforms to the TV licence that could see non-payment of the fee decriminalised or ultimately the whole fee scrapped.
Speaking in the Commons chamber earlier today Andrew Bridgen MP, a regular critic of the BBC and TV licence fee, said: "Will the BBC gain concessions? They got an annual inflation increase to the licence fee, an extension to the charter period and they no longer ask to fund the role of superfast broadband.
"Also my proposal for decriminalisation of licence fee was dropped in return for the BBC agreeing to fund the universal concession of over-75s licence fee.
"Given that the BBC now seen intent of reneging on that promise to our over-75s and noting the comments of the Prime Minister a couple of weeks ago, does my Rt. Hon friend (the Leader of the House) agree with me now is the time to revisit decriminalisation as a method of protecting the poor and the vulnerable from this most regressive of taxes?
"When will the Government find the time to debate this matter?"
The Leader of the House, the Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, replied: "It's worth pointing out the criminalisation of not paying the licence fee fall particularly heavy on women who tend to be the ones most often found guilty of this offence.
"I think the Prime Minister has heard it because I believe he has made an indications that this is a matter that may be considered.
"I think my Honourable friend who is raising it and campaigning for it is doing a public service."
The Government is constrained from making quick changes to the TV licence by having previously agreed under the BBC's Royal Charter to continue the current system until 2027, but moves to decriminalise non-payment could be introduced fairly quickly.
An aside: This is the 1,000th post on the TV Licensing Blog. Thanks to all our readers for their continued support.
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3 comments:
Just want to say CONGRATULATIONS on making your 1000th post. As someone who has is long time legally licence free I always follow your blog. Please keep up the good work.
Very kind, thank you.
It's appreciated.
The swell of pubic distain for the BBC is gathering momentum, and rightly so. Those who have been criminalised should be pardoned.
TVL (BBC) should be prosecuted for harassment or at least for malicious communications.
The police whould be kicking down my door dragging me before the courts if I dared to send threating letters that TVL (BBC) regularly send.
Whatever happened to Section 5 of the Public Order Act: Intentional harassment, alarm or distress, has it been quiet repealed?
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