Pensioners’ petition for free TV licences for | U.Okay.Finance News
A petition calling for free TV licences for all Britons of state pension age and above has surpassed 50,000 signatures. The marketing campaign, launched by Michael Thompson, argues that older people ought to be entitled to a government-funded TV licence.His assertion reads: “We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age. When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence.” Mr Thompson added: “Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession. We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit. Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries.”Under present guidelines, a petition triggers a Government response when it reaches 10,000 signatures. At 100,000, it turns into eligible for a debate in Parliament.This petition acquired a formal Government response in January after reaching the initial 10,000-signature threshold. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) acknowledged the need for a “fair and sustainable” funding model however reaffirmed that free licences stay accessible solely to these aged 75 and over who obtain Pension Credit.The petition stays open till Monday, May 26, giving supporters simply over two weeks to help push it towards the following milestone for parliamentary debate.Currently, all UK households that watch or stream stay TV or use BBC iPlayer should pay an annual price of £174.50 or face a nice. This quantity elevated in April in step with inflation, prompting renewed criticism and debate over the longer term of the licence price.In its earlier response, the DCMS added: “The BBC took on responsibility for over-75s concessionary licences as part of the 2015 licence fee settlement. The BBC now administers the concession and offers free TV licences for over-75s who are in receipt of Pension Credit.“While the Government strongly believes in public funding for the BBC given the public good it serves, we are aware of the financial difficulties faced by some households, and are committed to supporting them to spread the cost of the TV licence.”To assist low-income households, the Government has prolonged the Simple Payment Plan (SPP), which permits these in financial problem to pay in fortnightly or month-to-month instalments. According to the DCMS, “The BBC’s analysis suggests that the expansion could double the number of households using the SPP to around 500,000 by the end of 2027.”The licence price will stay in place till a minimum of 2027, when a new BBC constitution is anticipated to come back into impact.
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