Over 75 TV Licences

[Constantbee]

Good news from the G7 Summit in Biarritz, then I expect it's pleasant out there at this time of year. Nice work if you can get it

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49469337

... or is it good news? This doesn't sound like a clear commitment to me. Can we expect Boris to be locking horns with the BBC over this before long?

[LMcD]

Good news from the G7 Summit in Biarritz, then I expect it's pleasant out there at this time of year. Nice work if you can get it

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49469337

... or is it good news? This doesn't sound like a clear commitment to me. Can we expect Boris to be locking horns with the BBC over this before long?

There's almost certainly going to be a general election soon, and the vast majority of those affected very probably vote Conservative. As with the review of HS2, I suspect that nothing will actually happen and that both these issues will rapidly disappear from view once the results are in.
I can afford to resume paying for my TV licence, but continue to be annoyed by the BBC's extravagance, in particular when it continues to send two or more reporters to cover the same story.

[cloughie]

There's almost certainly going to be a general election soon, and the vast majority of those affected very probably vote Conservative. As with the review of HS2, I suspect that nothing will actually happen and that both these issues will rapidly disappear from view once the results are in.
I can afford to resume paying for my TV licence, but continue to be annoyed by the BBC's extravagance, in particular when it continues to send two or more reporters to cover the same story.

Yes the BBC’s extravagance combined with the government’s extravagance and their ability to divert their commitments to other bodies - not much to choose really.

[gurnemanz]

For me Simon Kelner in the i paper got it right a few weeks ago - link. I'm five years away but would be embarrassed to get a free licence. I'm certainly not wealthy but I'm much better off now than I ever was with kids and a mortgage. There may be BBC "extravagance" but for me this is a separate issue. Johnson is an embarrassment. I find it hard to keep listening when he opens his mouth. Like Trump, he'll shoot from the hip to play to the gallery and try to gain any short-term political advantage he can.

[antongould]

For me Simon Kelner in the i paper got it right a few weeks ago - link. I'm five years away but would be embarrassed to get a free licence. I'm certainly not wealthy but I'm much better off now than I ever was with kids and a mortgage. There may be BBC "extravagance" but for me this is a separate issue. Johnson is an embarrassment. I find it hard to keep listening when he opens his mouth. Like Trump, he'll shoot from the hip to play to the gallery and try to gain any short-term political advantage he can.

Well said young man IMVVHO ....

[agingjb]

If the BBC had decided to phase out the free licences by raising the threshold each year, so that there were no new free licences, but people already on free would not suddenly go back to the "demanding money with menaces" that characterises TV licence collection, then there might have been less outcry.

As it is, yes I can well afford to go back to paying, but whether, in a year or so, I'm still capable of writing a cheque or setting up a direct debit is another question. I may be lucky, but for some of us this will be the real dementia tax.

[Old Grumpy]

For me Simon Kelner in the i paper got it right a few weeks ago - link. I'm five years away but would be embarrassed to get a free licence. I'm certainly not wealthy but I'm much better off now than I ever was with kids and a mortgage. There may be BBC "extravagance" but for me this is a separate issue. Johnson is an embarrassment. I find it hard to keep listening when he opens his mouth. Like Trump, he'll shoot from the hip to play to the gallery and try to gain any short-term political advantage he can.

Totally agree, see threads passim*.


* Sorry can't do links easily on smartphone.

OG

[Bryn]

Totally agree, see threads passim*.


* Sorry can't do links easily on smartphone.

OG

I don't look at it as the loss of the free television licence but as an effective annual cut of £154.50 in the State Pension or cutting the personal tax allowance of those 75 and over by £772,50.

[Old Grumpy]

I don't look at it as the loss of the free television licence but as an effective annual cut of £154.50 in the State Pension or cutting the personal tax allowance of those 75 and over by £772,50.

Not the BBC's fault though Bryn - fairly and squarely lies at HMG's door IMV.

OG

[Bryn]

Not the BBC's fault though Bryn - fairly and squarely lies at HMG's door IMV.

OG

I think you will find that is the door at which I left my assessment of responsibility.

[Dave2002]

Not the BBC's fault though Bryn - fairly and squarely lies at HMG's door IMV.

OG

BJ will probably bluster and do nothing about it. Not his problem (technically it isn't) but he wants people to think he will do something about it, and vote for "him" if the situation arises.

[Old Grumpy]

Totally agree, see threads passim*.


* Sorry can't do links easily on smartphone.

OG

On the laptop now:

It is this thread at #62 which I refer:

Good article by Simon Kelner in today's i newspaper.

The licence works out at less than the cost of the Daily Mail for a week...

OG

[Bryn]

The licence works out at less than the cost of the Daily Mail for a week...

Oh no it doesn't. The Daily Mail costs me nothing. I would not even accept a free copy from Waitrose, not even if they had run put of Guardians, Telegraphs and The Times. Simon Kelner, of course, does not live on a State Pension.

[Old Grumpy]

Oh no it doesn't. The Daily Mail costs me nothing. I would not even accept a free copy from Waitrose, mot even if they had run put of Guardians, Telegraphs and The Times. Simon Kelner, of course, does not live on a State Pension.

True, and true. But you do have a) to have access to a Waitrose (and Partners) and b) spend £10 there!

OG

[LMcD]

Oh no it doesn't. The Daily Mail costs me nothing. I would not even accept a free copy from Waitrose, mot even if they had run put of Guardians, Telegraphs and The Times. Simon Kelner, of course, does not live on a State Pension.