Bbc To Means Test Over 75S

[bobbs202]

I'm wondering how this will work,will everyone over 75 have to have their incomes scrutinised?
I apologise for not adding a link but saw this on the ribbon of news that runs along the bottom of news on tv.

[hc4361]

Crapat, a lot of facilitlies and organisations that offer concessions to various groups of people, such as over 65s, the disabled, carers, students etc require proof. People in those brackets can choose to claim the concession and provide the proof or stump up the full price.

[teacake44]

Well I'm getting there at 68, but if I have to rely on TV to entertain me, I'd rather watch paint dry, the constant repeats of programs is brain damaging. Gave up a long time ago with TV.

[douglas9401]

Possibly a gig for the soon to be under employed Mrs May.

Test means test.

[youngmafbog]

BBC should be privatised. No more licence fee, those that want it should pay for it.

[Canary42]

/// those that want it should pay for it. ///

Ditto Brexit.

[youngmafbog]

Yes, of course Canary - yawn.

[Old_Geezer]

And those that didn't want it so caused issues, pay treble ?

[THECORBYLOON]

C@C, the legislation is Section 89 of the Digital Economy Act 2017,
"9TV licence fee concessions by reference to age

(1)The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

(2)Section 365 (TV licence fees) is amended as follows.

(3)After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)Liability to pay a sum under regulations under subsection (1) is subject to any concession applying in accordance with a determination by the BBC under section 365A.”
....
(1)For the purposes of section 365(1A) the BBC may determine that a concession in specified terms is to apply.

(2)Any concession under this section must include a requirement that the person to whom the TV licence is issued, or another person, is of or above a specified age, which must be 65 or higher, at or before the end of the month in which the licence is issued."

That gives the BBC the right to decide the conditions under which a free licence is given to those of a specified age.

[New Judge]

//So basically, for saving towards a private pension when you retire ,you're screwed?//

Such people get screwed all the time, bobbs. Those with no savings and who rely solely on the State Pension receive enormous amounts in the way of perks. Among the many are free dental treatment, additional pension if they have not accrued enough NI contributions and - the biggest of all - free care fees should they require residential care. It does not pay in the UK to provide for your old age. Not only do you pay for yourself but you pay for all those who do not do likewise.

[THECORBYLOON]

Is there a particular reason why those of a certain age should receive free tv licences?

[dannyk13]

//Is there a particular reason why those of a certain age should receive free tv licences?//
Is there a particular reason why, once having been granted them, that privilege should be taken away?

[bednobs]

because the country can't afford it

[THECORBYLOON]

Laws change all the time to forbid or restrict something that had been previously allowed or unrestricted.

[dannyk13]

Bednobs, the country doesn't pay it , the BBC does, and which they could probably afford if they stopped paying ridiculous salaries.

[bednobs]

it was my understanding that the government introduced the perk as an election bribe? I thought the country was paying for this perk, and now that the country has decided to stop paying, the BBC don't want to either?

[bobbs202]

New Judge what you say is so true,they even call a state pension a benefit now ,but without perks,I pay full cost of dental treatment, full cost of spectacles because I had the afore sight to save for a private pension, oops wait a minute, they did give me a concessionary bus pass

[dannyk13]

Bednobs, that was before the government passed the buck to the BBC.

[THECORBYLOON]

Why should a certain age group receive free licences?

[bobbs202]

The Corby, it's probably the only pleasure some get and they may be housebound,I can afford to pay for a licence ,some can't and it looks like it will be those getting a free one

[dannyk13]

Corby //Why should a certain age group receive free licences?//
Because many of the older generation who are living on state pension live on their own with only the TV to keep them company.