TV licences: BBC to go ahead with over-75s licence fee changes.

9th July 2020

                 GETTY IMAGES

The BBC 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 BBC said the new scheme is “the fairest decision”, but the government said it was “the wrong decision” and Age UK called it “a kick in the teeth”.

Why has this decision been taken?

The controversial change was originally due to be made on 1 June, and the BBC said the delay had cost £35m a month.

The cost of continuing to provide free licences to all over-75s could have reached £1bn a year over time with an ageing population, according to the corporation.

Do I need a TV licence and what does it pay for?

BBC Chairman Sir David Clementi said the decision had “not been easy”, but the broadcaster is under “under severe financial pressure” and a further delay would have had an impact on programmes.

                      Ricky Tomlinson led a protest outside the BBC’s n Salford last June

BBC delays over-75 TV licence fee changes.

The BBC has previously warned that making no changes would have led to “unprecedented closures” of services.

It has also previously said it must make an extra £125m savings this year as a result of the pandemic, including the cost of delaying the over-75s changes.

Free TV licences for the over-75s have been provided by the government since 2000, but responsibility for the provision was passed to the BBC as part of its last licence fee settlement.

What has the reaction been?

The Age UK charity said it was “bitterly disappointed”, describing the move as “a kick in the teeth for millions of over-75s who have had a torrid time during this crisis”.

More than 630,000 people signed an Age UK petition when the BBC first announced the plan in 2019. The charity has now urged the BBC and the government to “urgently sit down and agree on a solution to keep TV licences free”.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said many older people would either have to give up their TV, which is “more of a lifeline than ever”, or other essential purchases.

“Everyone needs to understand that under the BBC’s scheme many hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners will be facing a bill they will simply be unable to afford to pay,” she said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the BBC had made the “wrong decision”, and the government believes the licence fees in question “should be funded by the BBC”.

Culture minister Matt Warman said the move was “deeply frustrating”.

But Labour’s shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens said: “The refusal of the government to fund this vital service after promising to do so is nothing short of betrayal.

“Many over-75s have spent months at home with TV providing an invaluable source of company during the pandemic. For the government to blame the BBC who are having to contend with huge cuts is simply passing the buck.”

Julian Knight MP, Conservative chairman of the House of Commons culture select committee, called the situation “a mess” and said the new regime would be “a body blow to millions of British pensioners”.

                       JULIANKNIGHT15

Broadcaster and Labour peer Dame Joan Bakewell said some older people could and should pay – but there is a “suffering middle” who will struggle.

“The rich old have lots of savings and investments, and they can well afford it,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

But she added: “Not enough will get it free. There are layers of people above the earning [level] that gets you the benefit who also should be allowed to have a free licence fee… It’s the suffering middle who perhaps find life expensive but are not reduced to needing state benefits.”

She added that she had hoped incoming director general Tim Davie could have brought “some original thinking” to find a better solution.

How will the new system work?

The BBC said there would be a “Covid-safe” payment system, meaning people can apply online, and there will be a dedicated phone line and support staff.

“No-one needs to take any immediate action, or leave their home, to claim for a free TV licence or pay for one,” a statement said.

TV Licensing will write to all licence holders aged over 75 with clear guidance about how to pay, it said.

Almost 1.6 million people claim Pension Credit, according to the latest government figures. Of those, 450,000 have already applied for a free licence.

This shoddy decision to end free TV licences for most over-75s will haunt the BBC’s fat cat bosses.

By STEPHEN GLOVER FOR THE DAILY MAIL

9th July 2020 

So the deed is done. But will the BBC pay a price for going ahead with its plan to end free TV licences for most over-75s after a two-month stay of execution because of the Covid-19 pandemic?

The Corporation’s panjandrums evidently think they can get away with it. 

They will reason that, although more than three million households will have to start paying the £157.50 annual licence fee from August 1, some 1.6million of the very poorest pensioners claiming Pension Credit won’t have to fork out.

But, of course, many of the three million households forced to cough up are far from rich. 

The free TV licence for over-75s will be means-tested from August 1, meaning more than three million households will be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee

Compared with the BBC’s overpaid stars and lavishly remunerated senior executives, a lot of these elderly pensioners are poor. Paying the licence fee will hurt.

That is why Age UK, which inspired more than 630,000 people to sign a petition against the proposals when they were first announced last year, described the announcement as ‘a kick in the teeth for millions of over-75s who have had a torrid time during this crisis’.

Was there another way? You bet there was. Although it is forever boasting about trimming its sails, the Beeb is a vast, extravagant monster that has grown crazily over the past three decades, spawning new television channels and radio stations and a huge website. Its annual income is a massive £5billion.

Making three million pensioner households pay the licence fee should allow it to bank about a tenth of this amount. If Auntie had really cared about these people, this money could have been found through a serious process of economising.

The government has provided free TV licences for the over-75s since 2000, but responsibility for the provision now rests with the BBC.

Just cutting the salaries of hundreds of stars and senior managers earning more than £150,000 by 10 per cent would, by my rough calculations, yield £5million a year. It would be a symbolic step, which showed that despite appearances the ethos of public service broadcasting is still alive.

Much bigger sums could be found by closing down BBC4 (£44million) and Radio 6 Music (£12million). Shaving BBC1’s budget by just 10 per cent would yield £110million, and slimming down BBC2 by the same proportion nearly £40million. Auntie could reverse its idiotic decision to spend £100million on ‘diversity’ over the next three years.

In no time at all, an organisation which chose to put poorer pensioners before its immediate financial needs could save hundreds of millions of pounds if it really set its mind to it. But no such root-and-branch operation has taken place. Let the poor pensioners pay.

I accept that in 2015 the then chancellor, George Osborne, drove a hard bargain when he got the director-general, Tony Hall, to agree that the Corporation would take responsibility for the £745million annual cost of providing free TV licences for those aged 75 or over.

Lord Hall, who is just about to step down, caved in too easily. One of his predecessors, Mark Thompson, has claimed that he had begun writing a resignation letter when Osborne tried to impose similar costs on the BBC five years earlier.

The fact remains that the Beeb agreed to these terms, and is now acting in a ruthless and self-serving manner. If it did not know that withdrawing free licences will be painful for many pensioners, it wouldn’t have suspended the measure during the pandemic.

In March, Lord Hall agreed in front of a Commons committee that people in their 80s and 90s could be hauled through the courts for not paying their TV licences after the free concession is withdrawn. How will our public service broadcaster with its hundreds of ‘fat cat’ salaries look then?

BBC bosses assume they have won this battle. I believe that, on the contrary, they have exposed themselves to the charge of meanness and selfishness, and that this shoddy decision may come back to haunt them. 

BBC’s free TV license blow to pensioners: Over-75s will have to pay £157 fee from next month.

BY PAUL REVOIR MEDIA EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL 

The BBC was yesterday accused of kicking pensioners in the teeth by axing free TV licences for millions of over-75s.

The Corporation announced it will bring in its controversial new scheme in three weeks’ time, on August 1.

More than three million households – those not claiming Pension Credit – will be hit with the £157.50 fee.

BBC chiefs had initially planned to charge them from last month but delayed the start due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday it confirmed there would be no further postponement.

The BBC, based at Portland Place, London, made the announcement today but has faced a fierce backlash

The cost of continuing to provide free licences to all over-75s could have reached £1billion a year with an ageing population.

The BBC’s chairman, Sir David Clementi, claimed the Corporation could not continue delaying the introduction ‘without impacting programmes and services’.

Age UK, which has led the fight against the plans, said it feared for the mental health of older people living on their own if they have to give up their TV set.

Director Caroline Abrahams said: ‘We’re bitterly disappointed by this decision on behalf of the millions of over-75s who have had a torrid time over the last few months and for whom this must feel like another kick in the teeth, during a terrible year.

‘Many older people on low incomes have told us that if they have to find £150-plus a year to pay for a licence then they will have to forego some other essential, or try to survive without TV at all.’

She criticised the ‘flawed design’ of the scheme saying two in five of all the pensioners on the lowest incomes do not get Pension Credit ‘even though they are entitled to it’. 

But she said the ‘principal responsibility’ for the situation lay with government after it ‘transferred’ the scheme to the BBC.

Tory MP Julian Knight, who is chairman of the digital, culture, media and sport committee, said: ‘At what is already a very difficult time, this will be a body blow to millions of British pensioners.

‘I had hoped that the previous delay announced would lead to the Government and BBC coming together in order to thrash out a fresh deal. However, that has clearly not happened.’ 

The proposals sparked outrage when they were announced last year, with more than 630,000 people signing a petition set up by the charity Age UK, calling for action to be taken.

He said the ‘mess’ was the result of a ‘poor decision’ by outgoing director general Lord Hall and that ‘now Britain’s pensioners are having to pick up the cost’.

Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the PM disagreed with the move. He said: ‘This is the wrong decision. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe that they should be funded by the BBC.’ 

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘I very much regret the decision that the BBC has taken. We gave the settlement to the BBC back in 2015. They said that it was a good settlement, and I regret that they couldn’t find efficiency savings in order to avoid having to impose the licence fee on the over-75s in the way that they have set out.’ 

Sir David Clementi admitted that while about 1.5million households could get free licences if on Pension Credit, only 450,000 of those eligible had applied. 

The move provoked a swathe of criticism, with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren calling the end of the universal entitlement ‘heart-breaking’

There had been concerns that if pensioners were forced to go out and copy documents needed to qualify for the scheme, it could put lives at risk with coronavirus still circulating. 

But the BBC said the implementation of the scheme will be ‘Covid-19 safe’ with no pensioners needing to leave their homes to claim for the free TV licence or to pay for one.

TV Licensing, which runs its collection activities, will write to those affected and give them ‘clear guidance’. 

Telephone contact centres have also been set up to assist. The Corporation claims without the new fee, it would have had to close BBC2, BBC4, the BBC News channel, Radio 5 Live, the BBC Scotland channel and a number of local radio stations.

This shoddy decision to end free TV licences for most over-75s will haunt the BBC’s fat cat bosses.

Rebel pensioners reveal plan to derail attempt to strip them of free TV licences.

EXCLUSIVE: The Silver Voices campaign group wants to “gum up the works” as over-75s face losing their entitlement to the benefit.

BY

Ben Glaze Deputy Political Editor – Daily Mirror.

11TH JULY 2020

Millions of OAPs face losing their free licences.

What is really going on in politics? 

REBEL TV LICENCE ALLIANCE.

OAPs’ direct action against lost perk.• Daily Mirror• 11 Jul 2020• BY BEN GLAZE Deputy Political Editor – Daily Mirror.

PENSIONERS have vowed to take direct action against plans to strip them of free TV licences.

The Silver Voices campaign group said it plans to “gum up the works” of the TV licensing system.

Director Dennis Reed yesterday confirmed it would launch the campaign within weeks, after the BBC said it would end free licences for over-75s who do not receive Pension Credit from August 1.

Labour is expected to try to force a Minister to the Commons next week to be grilled by MPs, after the Tories broke a 2017 manifesto pledge to protect the perk until at least 2022.

Furious OAPs will trigger moves to try to hamper the administration of the TV licensing system.

The plot – first revealed by the Mirror six weeks ago – will see all over-60s urged to stop 

Direct Debit payments to pay the licence fee.

It is aimed at making the cost of administering and enforcing the licence fee “much more expensive than keeping the free licence for a relatively small group”.

Mr Dennis Reed said last night: “With the confirmation the BBC will be ending free TV licences for the over-75s from August 1, Silver Voices will implement its ‘gum up the works’ direct action from that date.

“Silver Voices is calling for all over-60s to take action to support the over-75s. From August 1, all over60s in the UK will be asked to withdraw from Direct Debits and standing orders, and advise TV Licensing they will only settle their licence fees by cheque or cash and post in future.

“Guidelines will also be issued on ‘creative but legal’ ways to complicate payments further.

“The intention will be to increase the costs of collection and enforcement to such a level that the Government and BBC will be forced to rethink this cruel policy.”

An estimated 3.7 million over-75s who currently receive free licences will have to pay £157.50 a year to watch. The Mirror has campaigned to save the benefit, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight.

The Conservatives pledged at the 2017 election to protect free licences for the rest of that Parliament, which was due to run until 2022.

But the BBC had already been handed responsibility for funding the lifeline from June, under a deal agreed in FEE PROTEST Dennis Reed 2015. The move was delayed by two months because of the pandemic.

The Beeb says keeping licences free for all over-75s would cost £745million by 2021-22. The restrictions mean only over-75s who receive Pension Credit will be eligible.

Campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen accused the Government of trying to “shift blame” on to the BBC. She said: “My main criticism is for the politicians. I think Oliver Dowden [Culture Secretary], who said he felt let down by the BBC, was shifting blame.

“It was Gordon Brown who decided to make this gift of free television licences and it was George Osborne who took it away and said the Government would no longer fund it. And that’s what feels like a slap in the face to older people.”

Labour peer Lord Foulkes, who chairs Parliament’s cross-party group for ageing and older people, said: “For many who rely on their TV for information, entertainment and company, this has been a deadly blow.”

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Rebel pensioners who face being stripped of free TV licences tonight unveiled a “gum up the works” campaign aimed at hampering plans to axe their benefit.

Some 3.7 million OAPs are due to lose the lifeline, worth £157.50 a year, from August 1.

Curbs on entitlement were due to come into force on Monday, but were delayed by two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Older people’s groups are demanding a further stay of execution – and called on the Tories to honour a 2017 manifesto pledge to protect free licences for over-75s.

Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said: “June 1 was the original date to implement this cruel policy but it has only been delayed until August 1.

Actor Ricky Tomlinson has led protests against plans to axe free TV licences for most over-75s.

“It is callous in the extreme for the Government to leave this threat hanging over the heads of vulnerable and isolated senior citizens as the coronavirus crisis continues.

“The charities are reporting increased mental health concerns over the indefinite lockdown for older people and the TV is often the only means for us to keep in touch with reality.”

Silver Voices is writing to BBC director-general Lord Hall warning that unless the implementation date is delayed again, a “non-cooperation” campaign dubbed “gum up the works” will kick off on August 1.

BBC director-general Lord Tony Hall.

Initially, all over-60s will be urged to stop Direct Debit payments to pay the licence fee, and tell the BBC that in future they will only correspond with TV Licensing by post, and only pay by cheque.

Mr Reed said the drive was aimed at making make the cost of administering and enforcing the licence fee “much more expensive than keeping the free licence for a relatively small group”.

The Conservatives pledged at the 2017 election to protect over-75s’ free licences for the rest of that Parliament, which was due to run until 2022.

But the BBC had already been handed responsibility for funding the lifeline from June 2020, under a deal agreed in 2015.

The corporation is restricting eligibility to over-75s who receive Pension Credit.

It says keeping licences free for all would cost £745million by 2021-22.

Mr Reed hopes the mini-revolt will pile pressure on the Government to reverse its decision.

He added: “We are fed up to the back teeth about this continuing disrespect for older people and the time is right to turn the screw on the Government to keep its promises.”

Bectu broadcasting union head Philippa Childs said: “This potential action demonstrates how important it is for the Government to take responsibility for the cost of the licence fee for over-75s.

“The BBC should never had been forced to take the difficult decision about how free licence fees for the over-75s should continue to be offered.

“By forcing this recognised welfare benefit on to the BBC, the Government is shirking its responsibility towards this vulnerable group of people who in the current climate need access to it more than ever.

“The policy must be handled by the Government so that the BBC is able to focus on what it does best which is educating, informing and entertaining the nation.”

Lord Foulkes, co-chairman of Westminster’s cross-party group for ageing and older people, backed the campaign.

Labour peer Lord George Foulkes will raise the issue in the House of Lords.

The Labour peer, 78, will raise the TV licences row in House of Lords on Tuesday.

He said: “I fully support Silver Voices in their campaign.

“It underlines the real anxiety and anger felt by many older people and those who support them, which has been caused by the Government’s decision to renege on a clear manifesto promise.

“There is now extensive opposition to the withdrawal of free TV licences for over-75s.

“The Government therefore must put a stop to this by honouring their manifesto promise to older people and saving this valuable benefit indefinitely.”

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “The BBC Board’s decision to delay rollout of their planned scheme was very welcome but it is becoming more obvious with every day that the initial two-month delay was not nearly long enough.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams.

“Age UK is calling for the pause to last until at least the end of 2020.

“So many events and initiatives are being scrapped this year and with so many older people still stuck largely or solely at home, this should go the same way.”

The Mirror is campaigning to permanently save the benefit, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight by completing coupons in the paper.

Boris Johnson has previously urged the BBC to “cough up” and save free licences.

Outgoing BBC boss Lord Hall has blamed the Government for axing the benefit.

Millions of pensioners betrayed with ‘kick in the teeth’ as free TV licence axed.

The BBC has said there will not be an extension to a two-month stay-of-execution, meaning 3.7m pensioners will have to pay the £157.50 yearly fee from1st August 2020.

BY

Ben Glaze – Deputy Political Editor Daily Mirror

and Nicola Methven

10TH JULY 2020

Ricky Tomlinson joins protestors outside BBC Media City at the broadcaster’s decision to axe free TV licences for 3.7 million pensioners.

What is really going on in politics? 

Millions of pensioners will have their free TV licence stripped from them on August 1.

An estimated 3.7 million over-75s who currently receive the benefit will now have to pay the £157.50 yearly fee.

The BBC said there will be no extension to a two-month stay-of-execution triggered by the pandemic.

The Tories, who had promised to safeguard the lifeline, have been blasted for “betraying” pensioners.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “We’re bitterly disappointed on behalf of the millions of over-75s who have had a torrid time over the last few months and for whom this must feel like another kick in the teeth.

Mirror columnist Paul Routledge addresses a ‘Save the TV Licence’ rally at Westminster.

Peers issue fresh calls for Government to save free TV licences for over-75s.

“Many older people on low incomes have told us that if they have to find £150-plus a year to pay for a licence they will have to forego some other essential, or try to survive without TV at all.

“We worry about the mental health of older people living on their own if they have to give up their cherished TV. For some it’s all they have and their main way of alleviating chronic loneliness.”

BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said: “The BBC could not continue delaying the scheme without impacting on programmes and services.”

The Tories pledged in 2017 to protect free licences for the rest of that Parliament, which was due to run until 2022.

But the BBC had already been handed responsibility for funding the benefit from 2020, under a deal agreed in 2015.

The Daily Mirror started a campaign to save millions of TV licences in 2018.

     Labour leader Keir Starmer backs calls to save free TV licences for over 75s

Keir Starmer pokes fun at Dominic Cummings with cheeky beer photo.

The Corporation says keeping licences free for all over-75s would cost £745million annually by 2021-22.

Bosses have decided that only those who receive Pension Credit – a benefit for the poorest pensioners – will be eligible. It means roughly 3.7 million over-75s are expected to miss out.

The BBC said about 1.5 million households may still get a free TV licence and that 450,000 have already applied.

The Mirror has campaigned to save the lifeline – supported by the likes of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, ex-Strictly judge Len Goodman and actor Ricky Tomlinson.

Boris Johnson, who vowed in 2017 to protect free licences, has again blamed the BBC. The PM’s spokesman said yesterday: “This is the wrong decision.

Len Goodman backed the campaign.

Free TV licences campaigners step up fight ahead of showdown in Parliament

TV ‘even more important during lockdown’, say OAPs braced to lose free licences

We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.”

But campaigners have accused the Tories of passing the buck.

Age UK said that while the BBC had made the decision, “the principal responsibility lies with the Government”.

Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens said: “The refusal of the Government to fund this vital service after promising to do so is nothing short of betrayal.

“For the Government to blame the BBC who are having to contend with huge cuts is simply passing the buck.” Dennis Reed, director of campaign group Silver Voices, called the BBC board “stone-hearted” and compared Mr Johnson to Pontius Pilate.

Mr Reed added: “If the Government gets away with scrapping this universal benefit, winter fuel allowances will be next, followed by the [pensions] triple lock and free prescriptions.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said she is ‘bitterly disappointed’.

Dementia-hit OAPs ‘could suffer worst from TV licence removal’, fear  campaigners

Government should fund free TV licences for over-75s, say majority of pensioners

“TV [is] the main companion for millions. To put this lifeline under threat at this time is the height of cruelty.” The Bectu broadcasting union said: “The BBC has been put in an impossible position by the Government, and is already cutting talented staff and much-loved programmes.

“It is the Government who should be funding this benefit.”

The GMB union said the Tories “have double-crossed millions of pensioners”. While Labour peer Lord Foulkes has vowed to fight on.

Tory MP Julian Knight said: “At what is a very difficult time, this will be a body blow to millions of pensioners.

Jo Stevens says the decision is ‘nothing short of a betrayal’

Ministers ‘should be worried’ about OAPs’ plan to disrupt TV licence fee system.

“I hoped the previous delay would lead to the Government and BBC coming together to thrash out a fresh deal. That has clearly not happened.” The licence fee cut comes despite the Government spending billions to lessen the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £350billion package and this week announced a £30bn boost.

A BBC insider said that while the Corporation agreed to take on responsibility for the policy five years ago, it never committed to keep funding it.

The source said “that was never an option”, adding that the two-month delay to scrapping free licences “has already cost £70million – and that’s on top of the £125million of savings we need to find because of coronavirus”.

The insider said: “Our financial circumstances have changed significantly for the worse since this plan was announced a year ago.

“The only alternative to not pushing ahead with it would be to say goodbye to BBC2, BBC4, the BBC news channel, Radio 5 Live, BBC Scotland and several local radio stations.”

This treachery won’t be forgotten by us..• Daily Mirror• 10 Jul 2020• BY PAUL R0UTLEDGE.

BATTLE MAKING A STAND Actor RickyTomlinson at protest last year.

Mirror story in 2018 huge cuts is simply passing the buck.” Dennis Reed, director of campaign group Silver Voices, called the BBC board “stone-hearted” and compared Mr Johnson to Pontius Pilate.

Mr Reed added: “If the Government gets away with scrapping this universal benefit, winter fuel allowances will be next, followed by the [pensions] triple lock and free prescriptions.

“TV [is] the main companion for millions. To put this lifeline under threat at this time is the height of cruelty.” The Bectu broadcasting union said: “The BBC has been put in an impossible position by the Government, and is already cutting talented staff and much-loved programmes.

“It is the Government who should be funding this benefit.”

The GMB union said the Tories “have double-crossed millions of pensioners”. While Labour peer Lord Foulkes has vowed to fight on.

Tory MP Julian Knight said: “At what is a very difficult time, this will be a body blow to millions of pensioners.

“I hoped the previous delay would lead to the Government and BBC coming together to thrash out a fresh deal. That has clearly not happened.” The licence fee cut comes despite the

Government spending billions to lessen the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £350billion package and this week announced a £30bn boost.

A BBC insider said that while the Corporation agreed to take on responsibility for the policy five years ago, it never committed to keep funding it.

The source said “that was never an option”, adding that the two-month delay to scrapping free licences “has already cost £70m – and that’s on top of the £125m of savings we need to find because of coronavirus”.

The insider said: “Our financial circumstances have changed significantly for the worse since this plan was announced a year ago.

“The only alternative to not pushing ahead with it would be to say goodbye to BBC2, BBC4, the BBC news channel, Radio 5 Live, BBC Scotland and several local radio stations.”

BILLIONS here, billions there, Rishi Sunak threw money like confetti at a wedding to business, employers and the opera.

But the cowardly Chancellor delayed the Tory betrayal of pensioners for 24 hours.

Rich Rishi didn’t dare mention it in his mini-Budget because he knew it would spoil his big day.

This is how it looks to us oldies: Thatcher was the milk-snatcher. Sunak is the licence-snatcher.

Only yesterday could the BBC confirm that free TV licences for most over-75s will end in three weeks’ time.

Three million folk will have to fork out a week’s pension every year to fund their friend in the corner.

Too many already have to choose between heating and eating. All charities for the aged agree the telly has been crucial for the elderly during lockdown. It is our lifeline to the outside world – sometimes the only contact.

And if, God forbid, there is a second wave of Covid-19, it will coincide with the deprivation of this vital link.

This is not the fault of the Beeb. It is the toxic legacy of multi-millionaire George Osborne, who forced the cash-strapped BBC to accept financial responsibility.

Chancellor Sunak had one last opportunity to put this scandal right two days ago, and he deliberately, wilfully and arrogantly failed to take it. You can see I’m angry.

For me, this is personal. In 1968, I was fined £4 by a Marylebone stipendiary magistrate for using a wireless without a licence. It isn’t an offence now, and it was an oversight then. I had just moved to London, and didn’t have a TV so I didn’t get a licence that would have covered my old Bakelite radio.

I never made the same mistake again. Honest, m’lud.

Since then, I’ve paid thousands of pounds to watch the telly. I finally got my Gordon Brown free licence in December 2018. Twenty months later, the Tories are taking it away. Some furious oldies have said they will defy the detector van. This is serious. Failure to buy a licence will lead to fines and even imprisonment. A generation of pensioners faces the choice of kow-towing to the Government, or getting a criminal record in old age.

This latest treachery will go down badly with my generation. Remember, we turn out at election time.

Some Tories realise this is a vote loser. Julian Knight MP, chairman of the Commons Culture Committee, moaned that his Chancellor’s parsimony would be “a body blow” to pensioners.

It should also be a kick in the ballots. I urge readers to write to their MP to denounce this betrayal of the Conservatives’ promise to retain pension benefits.

If they can spend a million quid on painting Boris Johnson’s plane, and dole out billions to bosses they can afford to keep our licences. They could make a political soap out of this scandal: “Get stuffed, Minister!”

Only we won’t be able to watch it.

PAUL ROUTLEDGE ON VITAL LINK TV PROVIDES

DEMO Elderly are ready to fight.

It is our lifeline to the world, sometimes the only contact.