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

[InkedGreen]

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.

We currently qualify for a free TV licence because my DH is over 75. I have no problem with now having to pay for it. I do have a problem with how it was done i.e. by the government passing over responsibility to the BBC so that all blame is directed at the broadcaster rather than the government.

We are certainly not wealthy but are comfortable. To be honest, for people like us and certainly for those in a better financial situation than us the free licence did not make any real difference to our quality of life. Similarly, the winter fuel allowance. It is a fairly small amount per household and losing it would not make any significant difference to us. It could easily be added to pension credit and so made available to those who really need it.

We currently qualify for a free TV licence because my DH is over 75. I have no problem with now having to pay for it. I do have a problem with how it was done i.e. by the government passing over responsibility to the BBC so that all blame is directed at the broadcaster rather than the government.

We are certainly not wealthy but are comfortable. To be honest, for people like us and certainly for those in a better financial situation than us the free licence did not make any real difference to our quality of life. Similarly, the winter fuel allowance. It is a fairly small amount per household and losing it would not make any significant difference to us. It could easily be added to pension credit and so made available to those who really need it.

Ooops!! A double post. I have never had one of those before.

Monty 27 All pensioners over 75 currently get the free TV licence .I have wealthy relations who can easily afford to pay £12.50 P/M .I would imagine none of them would complain about it TBH!.The reasoning behind it ,was that older people are less likely to claim for things like Pension Credit seeing it as "Charity".Older pensioners certainly tend to be a proud bunch who have lived through some hard times.The BBC are in the firing line for inflated salaries for staff ,and the recent furore surrounding unequal pay for female employees.They are looking to make cuts wherever they can .The pensioners on Pension Credit should have nothing to fear .Lots of pensioners fall into a similar position as "JAMS".Too much money being paid to claim for PC not enough to be "wealthy".Some are still having to work P/T to pay for rent/mortgages.run a old car ,maybe afford a week or two in Eastbourne!Not wealthy at all but not dirt poor either!.

I agree it's a non-issue. The poorest will still get it free and people like the pensioners in my family (all rolling in money) don't need things for free any more than I do. Everything should be means tested IMO. If child benefit if going to be means tested then winter fuel allowance, free TV licences, bus passes, etc should only be provided for free to people who actually need them.

At a time of national crisis, like we're in, with our cretinous, unelected PM proroguing parliament to get fucking Brexit forced through against the wishes of half the country this is a distraction technique and a nonsense.

Personally, I don’t think TV licenses should be free for anyone. I think everyone who uses TV (which does include iPlayer now), should pay for it.

I’d rather see poor people, young and old, get free broadband/internet as that is an essential today. You have to have internet to apply for benefits, for jobs, to do qualifications/certificates, etc.

TV is a luxury, albeit very cheap at less than £20/mo.

I feel sorry for people who are on the cusp of poverty but I feel like this age group get a lot for free, free travel, fuel allowance, pensions that I'm not sure are really going to be there when younger generations retire. As has been said, so many people qualify for it for free anyway, they'll have to look into it or complain to the Tories who have brought in these changes and the over 75's are statistically more likely to vote for them aren't they?

I think it's only fair that wealthy pensioners make SOME contribution to the austerity we are all having to endure. Yes, there are some poor pensioners, but they will still get a free license on the whole. Pensioners are the wealthiest demographic of society on the whole, and families with young children are the poorest. This is a drop in the ocean at redressing that imbalance but there has to be a start somewhere! It's not much, but it will avoid an unaffordable license fee for younger people - it's not just the old who consume BBC content! I'm not old but I can't stand all the shite TV on most platforms. Give me a bit of Radio 4 and a good BBC drama any day!