The BBC has delayed the implementation of over-75 TV licence reforms.
The delay is as a result of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which is expected to sweep the nation in coming weeks.
Sir David Clementi, Chairman of the BBC, said: "The BBC board has decided to delay changes to over-75s licence fees. We are in exceptional circumstances. Now is not the right time. We are fully focussed on delivering our services to the public at this difficult time."
Over the last few months TV Licensing has been writing to every over-75 TV licence holder to inform them of the new eligibility criteria that come into force on 1st June 2020. From that date, only those over-75 households with an occupant in receipt of Pension Credit will be entitled to a concessionary TV licence.
Under the new rules around 3.7 million households that currently receive a "free" over-75 TV licence will have to pay the full licence fee if they wish to continue viewing TV programmes (or BBC on-demand programmes via the iPlayer). Unsurprisingly, many over-75s are outraged at the idea of having to pay for a perk they now view as an automatic entitlement.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: "I am pleased the BBC has worked with us and agreed to delay their licence fee changes for over-75s from coming in and will keep this under review.
"It will be welcome news to millions of older people who now don't need to worry about their TV licence during this challenging period.
"It is right that the BBC have recognised the exceptional circumstances posed by the Coronavirus outbreak and the need for the whole country to pull together in the national effort."
The BBC has said it will play a vital role in providing the nation with information at this time of crisis.
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2 comments:
Wonder if they will also stop the Crapita Goons from door knocking especially as they risk spreading Covid-19 with their traipsing around areas and knocking on houses where people are quarantined?
Probably not so the Goons will carry on regardless hoping to catch vulnerable people and people forced to work from home.
Since we are all supposed to be self isolating, are TV Licensing goons staying home? I imagine visiting 50 or so homes in a day isn't really what the government has in mind. Likewise meter readers and door to door tat salespersons?
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