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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think pensioners should just accept free universal TV licences are gone?

33 replies

InkedGreen · 31/08/2019 07:14

Why is this still in the headlines? The poorest 1/3 of pensioners will still get this for free and compared to what other generations have to deal with and the huge cuts with public services it's such a non issue.

So much of the coverage just seem really over the top to me. With streaming services and younger people not watching normal TV it's just unsustainable for a massive chunk to not contribute towards it.

OP posts:
Sallyseagull · 31/08/2019 07:21

For me it isn't a non-issue.

Having worked with elderly folk before I know that some can go a week without having a proper conversation with someone, or sometimes even seeing someone or leaving the house so the tv is their link with the outside world so to speak.

There shouldn't be a TV license, I think the whole concept is wrong.

Original poster
InkedGreen · 31/08/2019 07:25

But the poorest get it for free and if it's such a lifeline for others £160 a day is nothing.

You speak as if they're being banned from having a TV.

OP posts:
Original poster
InkedGreen · 31/08/2019 07:25

The poll has disappeared?

OP posts:
BlueMoonRising · 31/08/2019 07:26

I've clicked yabu because because, whether or not its an issue you are on side with, we live in a country that allows us to express our views on decisions like this, to demonstrate, to complain, to be active in campaigning.

Should people just accept no deal Brexit? An independent or not Scotland? The pensions issues affecting waspi women?

Nah, people should be free to campaign against anything and everything they feel is wrong or unjust.

Gladimnotcampinginthisweather · 31/08/2019 07:27

A friend volunteers for Help the Aged. She says a lot of people who are entitled to Pension Credit don't apply because the form is too long and complicated, whereas the free TV licence form simply requires proof that you are over 75. Therefore a lot of pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit, but are not receiving it.
Those are the people who will lose out if the free licence is removed.

BlueMoonRising · 31/08/2019 07:27

£160 a day is nothing?

Jesus, the licence has gone up a lot since I last had one!

GrimalkinsCrone · 31/08/2019 07:28

Your poll is still there, and I agree that pensioners should not be exempt from the means testing that everyone else faces. That includes winter fuel allowance and tv licenses. The well-off should fund themselves.

WhatsNextMrsLandingham · 31/08/2019 07:32

It's ironic that 52% of the respondents to the BBC consultation voted for a change in licenses for older people. A shitty way of looking at it since a lot of JAM pensioners who don't qualify for pension credit will now have to find £15-odd pounds a month but, to coin a phrase championed by rags who are outraged by this, it's the will of the people.

Marinetta · 31/08/2019 07:33

I totally agree. Statistics show that it is the over 75s who watch the most TV. The ones who use it should be the ones who pay for it. I don't see how it is fair to expect people who only watch an hour or two per day to fund those that are watching it for 8 hours per day. Anyone who is watching TV should have to pay for it.

Tellmetruth4 · 31/08/2019 07:33

The coverage is about attacking the BBC. The BBC suffered cuts as part of austerity and as a consequence of this and the loss of revenue as many people don’t require licenses ( they view content in a non traditional way), they have no choice but to cut some things. The BBC is a husk of what once was even as recently as the early 2000s. You pretty much have to pick sense out of nonsense on BBC news so I longer watch it.

The poorest pensioners will still get it for free.

It’s offensive this is getting so much coverage when disabled people are actually dying and people are going to food banks as a result of austerity but it shows that the government and media only care about placating the demographic who are guaranteed to go out and vote. I hope most pensioners see this for what it is, divide and conquer and stand against all austerity with all impacted demographics instead of being outraged about the 2/3 of pensioners being assessed as being able to afford to pay £150 a year to watch BBC tv and listen to BBC radio.

Fatted · 31/08/2019 07:37

My parents are 'pensioners'. Both in 70s. Mum hasn't worked a day in over 40 years because she was a SAHP. The last adult child moved out 15 years ago. She receives a state pension. Not the full one mind, but more than what she got for being a SAHP for over 40 years. Dad is still working part time in a profession that means his part time wage is more than what most people bring home working full-time. Big house. No mortgage. Large nest egg of inheritance from my grandparents.

They receive winter fuel allowance. Free prescriptions. Free bus passes. Discounts to everything left right and centre.

I do love my parents and don't begrudge them any of this. They've worked hard and come from virtually nothing to get to where they are now. I'm trying to show that the system for age related benefits is flawed. Just because you are old does not mean that you are poor. Or should be automatically entitled to something.

MaybeDoctor · 31/08/2019 07:39

I agree. I am pretty left-leaning, but even I cannot get too worked up about this issue.

Funding, quality and standards in social care are far bigger problems.

Chocolatelover45 · 31/08/2019 07:39

Seems a bit unfair as many people watch iplayer and don't bother with a licence as they have no actual TV. The whole system needs an overhaul. The BBC should be paid for out of taxation IMO.

Monty27 · 31/08/2019 07:40

Pensioners get free TV? At pensionable age or over 75s?
You've confused me OP.
Hmm

BeanBag7 · 31/08/2019 07:42

My grandparents are in their 80s and very well off (huge 5 bed country home, 2 audis, thousands in the bank etc.)
I don't see why they shouldnt pay the £150 quid for a TV license, it's literally a drop in the ocean for them.
Being elderly doesnt automatically make you poor. Those on low income still get it for free and those who are well off have to pay, which doesnt seem unfair to me.

GrimalkinsCrone · 31/08/2019 07:42

There are other subsidies that I’d cut, like the restaurants in the HOP that give our impoverished politicians cut price meals.

WhyBirdStop · 31/08/2019 07:43

My grandparents will lose the free tv licence, they're not wealthy, my gran was a nursery nurse and my grandfather was in the army then drove lorries for a living. They support the changes, my gran said why on earth should they get free tv when working people are having to use food banks.

HermioneWeasley · 31/08/2019 07:44

Agree, the poorest will still get it for free and many pensioners can easily afford it, I can’t see the big deal

SushiGo · 31/08/2019 07:48

I know this comes across as mean, but lots of pensioners are much poorer than they should be because they don't apply for pension credit.

Hopefully obvious changes like not being able to get a free TV license without it will get families and support groups to focus their efforts on making sure poor pensioners do apply, which would be of much more benefit to those pensioners than th continuing to have free TV but not being able to afford to ever leave the house.

Original poster
InkedGreen · 31/08/2019 07:48

It’s offensive this is getting so much coverage when disabled people are actually dying and people are going to food banks as a result of austerity but it shows that the government and media only care about placating the demographic who are guaranteed to go out and vote.

This exactly!

OP posts:
Hello1231 · 31/08/2019 07:52

You do realise that people than other politicians work in the houses of parliament, right? Support staff, some of who will be on around £20k a year, which for central London isn't a lot. People want a wider range of society to work in this area to more accurately represent the people, but begrudge a subsidised canteen to people like Sally who want to build a career in politics, but would struggle to afford food as has no financial family support.

Hello1231 · 31/08/2019 07:54

That was aimed at a PP, and yes some pensioners are a lot better off than others, and those who can't afford it will get it paid. There is a separate issue in those who are eligible for pension credit but dont apply, that should be addressed.

Monty27 · 31/08/2019 07:56

There's crooks in hop that lie about expenses,
Why take from the elderly.
We all know the rich have fancy accountants anyway. swindling a TV licence is nothing to them.
Whilst those on a government pension would have to without even more just to have tv

GrimalkinsCrone · 31/08/2019 08:01

A work canteen is very different to what’s actually on offer in the HOP, and I’m more worried about children going hungry in the school holidays. Especially as I live in a wealthy part of the SE where living expenses are astronomical.

DoomsdayCult · 31/08/2019 08:02

@Chocolatelover45
“Seems a bit unfair as many people watch iplayer and don't bother with a licence as they have no actual TV. ”

You need a TV license to use/watch BBC iPlayer even if you only watch it on a phone, tablet, computer. Even if you are a student in a dorm....