Over 75s free TV licence campaign

from 1^st August 4 million older people are set to lose their free TV Licence.

Lee Barron, TUC Midlands Regional Secretary and Yvonne Washbourne, Chair of the TUC Midlands Pensioners Network have sent a joint letter to Midlands MPs, urging them to make TV licences free for over 75s.

 

A temporary delay in charges for over 75s was introduced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The TUC Midlands is now urging this temporary measure to be made permanent.

 

The full text of the letter:

Over 75’s TV Licence

Shortly before the lockdown, the BBC announced a delay from 1st June to 1st August on its decision to require most over 75s to pay a TV licence.

This was a welcome but limited concession granted in view of government advice that older people stay at home to protect their health. The lockdown has left many older people entirely alone and with little support. They may have found it difficult to make arrangements to pay their TV licence or to make an application for Pension Credit to avoid the need to pay for one.

There is little prospect that older people’s circumstances will alter much by 1st August, so there is a need now, in my opinion, for the concession to be extended. I think that, in present circumstances, the decision to require over 75s to pay a TV licence ought to be set aside indefinitely.

Please make representations to the BBC and to appropriate government minister(s) about this.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I shall be interested in the BBC’s and the government’s responses and your own views.

 

Yours sincerely

Lee Barron and Yvonne Washbourne TUC Regional Secretary and Chair TUC Midlands Pensioners Network

 

Link to Age Concern’s campaign https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/62094/data/1/?utm_source=tv-18062020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=switchedoff