Save the Free TV Licence For Over 75's

In 1999 free TV Licences for the over 75's were introduced and it was agreed that the cost of providing this universal benefit should be paid by the Department of Work and Pensions to the BBC.

In 2015, the Conservative Government struck a deal that would see the responsibility for payment of this benefit no longer be that of the government but instead responsibility would now be with the BBC to shoulder the cost of the scheme from
2020 onwards, thus ensuring that any unpopular decisions on charging pensioners have to be made by the BBC Board rather than Government Ministers. We do not believe that the Government should have privatised welfare policy in this way, nor do we support means testing of the benefit.

A consultation has been put out by the BBC calling on comments from licence payers and consumers which highlights the cost of the scheme to them but says nothing about the detrimental impact that withdrawing this benefit will have on those over 75.

the consultation can be found here http://www.bbc.co.uk/yoursay