26-08-2020, 21:52
(This post was last modified: 26-08-2020, 22:12 by Salopbaggie.)
I know this will probably not be a popular contribution, however there seems to be IMO a bit of slightly inaccurate info here.
As I understand it, it is not the BBC who have stopped funding licenses for the over 75's, it is the government by expecting the BBC to pick up the bill for what was a government policy. Labour brought in the free TV license for the over 75's in November 2000, along with the funding to pay for it. Needless to say the Conservatives did not like it and George Osbourne in 2015/16 said they were no longer going to fund it and gave a couple of years notice of their intention to stop. Lets not forget that Boris before the last election campaigned on the promise of "making sure the elderly do not lose the ability to access the BBC for free."
It should also be noted that those over 75's who are in receipt of pension credit will continue to receive a free licence., e.g. pensioners whose only income is the basic state pension and the top up from Pension Credit.
You can even have a small private pension as well and still be eligible for Pension Credit, (you can check online if you are eligible for pension credit by going to this address (remove the space)
https://www.gov .uk/pension-credit/eligibility.)
It is only those whose income is more than the amount which would not qualify for Pension Credit who will have to pay. Of course this may hurt some people who are just over the pension credit limit. This may be more an argument to get rid of the licence fee altogether, but it is also hard to justify how a family of 4 or 5 with a single minimum wage income, should have to pay for a licence, when the Queen with all her millions would not, purely based on her age.
We also have to ask why is it the BBC who are for all intense and purpose 'now' a private company, are expected to provide their services for free. Why is there is no outcry demanding British Telecom provide their services for free for the over 75's. Incidentally it will not be to many years before I am a member of this very prestigious club. Please don't beat me up to badly.
I think you are referring to the planned 'I Have A Dream Day' on Radio 2 which is one special days programming to commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s iconic speech on 28 August.
As I understand it, it is not the BBC who have stopped funding licenses for the over 75's, it is the government by expecting the BBC to pick up the bill for what was a government policy. Labour brought in the free TV license for the over 75's in November 2000, along with the funding to pay for it. Needless to say the Conservatives did not like it and George Osbourne in 2015/16 said they were no longer going to fund it and gave a couple of years notice of their intention to stop. Lets not forget that Boris before the last election campaigned on the promise of "making sure the elderly do not lose the ability to access the BBC for free."
It should also be noted that those over 75's who are in receipt of pension credit will continue to receive a free licence., e.g. pensioners whose only income is the basic state pension and the top up from Pension Credit.
You can even have a small private pension as well and still be eligible for Pension Credit, (you can check online if you are eligible for pension credit by going to this address (remove the space)
https://www.gov .uk/pension-credit/eligibility.)
It is only those whose income is more than the amount which would not qualify for Pension Credit who will have to pay. Of course this may hurt some people who are just over the pension credit limit. This may be more an argument to get rid of the licence fee altogether, but it is also hard to justify how a family of 4 or 5 with a single minimum wage income, should have to pay for a licence, when the Queen with all her millions would not, purely based on her age.
We also have to ask why is it the BBC who are for all intense and purpose 'now' a private company, are expected to provide their services for free. Why is there is no outcry demanding British Telecom provide their services for free for the over 75's. Incidentally it will not be to many years before I am a member of this very prestigious club. Please don't beat me up to badly.
(26-08-2020, 19:41)drewks Wrote: What I object to is having other people's opinions forced on me. This is happening more and more.
I see now that good old Radio 2 is having some sort of a Black Music programme.
Would they like to balance things up with a White Music programme sometime?
Shock, horror, heaven forbid.
(Wowza - this thread has struck a chord or 2!!)
I think you are referring to the planned 'I Have A Dream Day' on Radio 2 which is one special days programming to commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s iconic speech on 28 August.