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Original poster

Would you do this? (Ben Fogle's TV license donation)

243 replies

ScrewBalls99 · 12/06/2019 18:23

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48607896

Would you do this?

Donate towards over 75's free TV licenses?

OP posts:
justanswerthephone · 12/06/2019 19:19

What makes you think that those who are not entitled to PC can afford the TV licence

The same thing that makes them not entitled to PC. Their income/savings.

swissmilk · 12/06/2019 19:25

My dad is over 75 living in a lovely massive house on his state pension and private salary pension. We don't consider him rich, as everyone we know over 75 is in a similar position, but compared to him I am as poor as a church mouse.
If I have to pay for a TV licence then so should he.

StillCoughingandLaughing · 12/06/2019 19:30

Would I help out an elderly relative who couldn’t get pension credit and was worried about finding the money for a TV licence? Absolutely. Would I donate to a campaign for a blanket ruling that will probably fail? Nope. May as well piss it up the wall.

dreichuplands · 12/06/2019 19:32

No.
The older members of my family are the most financially comfortable. Income wise it would make more sense to support those younger than myself.

ILoveEurovision · 12/06/2019 19:40

Did you know that for every three who claim pension credits, 2 don't?

Then we need to make people more aware that they can claim pension credit and provide help (eg via CAB) to do so.

Anyone who isn't claiming out of pride should get over themselves. It's not a good enough reason to provide it free to everyone including those who can easily afford it.

Nanny0gg · 12/06/2019 19:56

So because you all personally know wealthy older people then let's ignore those who aren't.

And as for the Netflix suggestion... let them eat cake while they're at it!

The80sweregreat · 12/06/2019 19:57

Was anyone bothered 19 years ago before this was brought in? ( under a labour government)

The BBC needs to save millions and millions ; even giving their biggest earners a pay cut , they would still struggle to find this money.
The government is also behind this decision and normally love cut backs and austerity but suddenly it's the BBC who are at fault!
It's all a big con plus pensioners on pension credits can apply for a free one.
I know I'm in the minority here but there's more to it than the daily mail / ITV would have us believe!
The BBC isn't perfect but I do feel they should t be getting all the flack here.

ILoveEurovision · 12/06/2019 20:00

So because you all personally know wealthy older people then let's ignore those who aren't.

No, let's get the ones who aren't to claim pension credit and then they can keep their free TV licence. Maybe this will be the motivation they need 🤷‍♀️

EnchentButteler · 12/06/2019 20:02

OnlyFoolsnMothers

Child benefit is not fair at all - 1 earner earning 60k can’t get it- 2 earners earning 40k each do qualify!

The figures are true but I struggle to feel sorry for family's 'getting by' on a single salary of £60k when mine and DH's combined is way below that!

The way I see it with the TV licence is that those who are on low income will still get it and those who are comfortable won't. Surely that's much fairer than the current system where I subsidise those who are mortgage free and on final salary pensions?

EnchentButteler · 12/06/2019 20:03

OnlyFoolsnMothers

Child benefit is not fair at all - 1 earner earning 60k can’t get it- 2 earners earning 40k each do qualify!

The figures are true but I struggle to feel sorry for family's 'getting by' on a single salary of £60k when mine and DH's combined is way below that!

The way I see it with the TV licence is that those who are on low income will still get it and those who are comfortable won't. Surely that's much fairer than the current system where I subsidise those who are mortgage free and on final salary pensions?

ilovesooty · 12/06/2019 20:04

Raise awareness of pension credit and help people to claim.

pollypenguin01 · 12/06/2019 20:14

I would if it was means tested.

If only we could guarantee people would be honest about being able to afford it without help or not.

pollypenguin01 · 12/06/2019 20:16

I would if it was means tested.

If only we could guarantee people would be honest about being able to afford it without help or not.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 12/06/2019 20:44

The figures are true but I struggle to feel sorry for family's 'getting by' on a single salary of £60k when mine and DH's combined is way below that! my issue is the discrepancy at which family income is recognised. £60k for a family of 4 is fine and no ones expecting anyone to feel sorry for them, but it isn’t 2 holidays a year and fancy cars. £90k a year however and getting child benefit is grossly unfair.

Nanny0gg · 12/06/2019 20:51

The State pension (if you're entitled to the full amount) is £8,767.20 for a single person.

Many women will not be entitled to this much as they haven't paid the full stamp.

ILoveEurovision · 12/06/2019 20:55

Many women will not be entitled to this much as they haven't paid the full stamp.

So then they can claim pension credit too. I'm not clear what your point is?

sue51 · 12/06/2019 21:00

No, and I say this as a pensioner.

BoogieNites · 12/06/2019 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BoogieNites · 12/06/2019 21:02

That is a joke and of course I pay for mums

Pacificallythespecific · 12/06/2019 21:04

I’m proud to say I got my most red arrowed comment ever on the DM article about this yesterday.

So bloody proud

wheresmymojo · 12/06/2019 21:06

I would happily donate to anyone who NEEDS it.

...but not to just any pensioner irrespective of what wealth they have.

Arnoldthecat · 12/06/2019 21:07

No i would not. Further , i am not aware of any kind of portal for collection of such donations. The answer is simple. Just dont pay a tv licence. What can they do to you? sod all.

The80sweregreat · 12/06/2019 21:52

You can go to prison for not paying i think.

justanswerthephone · 12/06/2019 21:57

You can go to prison for not paying i think.

The penalty is a fine not a jail sentence.

Arnoldthecat · 12/06/2019 22:24

It isnt compulsory to have a tv licence nor are you required to make a declaration as to why you dont have one. Its all bullying bullshit.