Dear Auntie BBC, put 3.7m OAPs in jail — they’ll get their free TV licences then as Sun readers call for u-turn NOW
SUN readers are outraged at plans by greedy BBC bosses to scrap free TV licences for nearly four million pensioners.
Fat-cat bosses at the corporation announced this week that next year up to 3.7million people aged over 75 will have to pay £154.50 for a licence – or face jail for non-payment.
It destroys a near-20 year tradition that all over 75s, many house-bound, have been able to get BBC TV for free.
From next June only low-income homes with someone on the Pension Credit benefit will be eligible for a free licence.
Many are now calling for viewers to stop paying the BBC in protest, and for not paying the licence fee to no longer be a crime. Others want government to fund the fee cost for over-75s.
Below, as we launch our Free TV Fees For Over-75s campaign, is a small selection of the mountain of angry letters we received just yesterday...
We are backing Age UK’s Switched Off campaign to save free TV for older people. The charity is demanding that the Government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences and has set up a petition on its website. Sign it on their site or on The Sun’s website.
Bill Cummings, Bryncoch, Neath Port Talbot
COME June 2020, 3.7million pensioners will lose their free TV licence and be £3 a week worse off unless one of the candidates for the Conservative leadership promises to finance it.
Michael Gannon, Huddersfield
IT’S not just the over-75s who cannot pay their TV licence. It’s the disabled and people with young families.
The BBC has been one big gravy train for years and because it gets the TV licence money it thinks it can do what it wants. Scrap the TV licence for everyone.
The BBC has clearly acted now while there is no effective Prime Minister. I hope whoever takes over as PM cuts the BBC down to size.
Bill Cummings
Paul Nott, Southampton
I CAN understand scrapping a free licence for a rich person but I’m not, and the fact that my money goes to paying huge wages to so-called celebrities and to make interminable cooking programmes and game shows sticks in my throat.
Graham Austin, Braintree, Essex
HOW much will it cost to set up means-testing for the licence fee? As much as a licence?
Jacqueline Barker, Salisbury, Wilts
WHY not raise the fee for those of working age instead of making old people, whose TV may be their main source of company, pay?
Jean Cooper, Dunfermline, Fife
WHAT’S next? When I eventually do retire will I even get a bus pass?
Come on Government, look after the pensioners.
Sue Spiller, Erith, SE London
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