ANGER OVER CHANGES TO CONCESSIONARY TV LICENCES FOR THE ELDERLY AS PROTESTERS HEAD TO THE BBC'S MEDIACITYUK HQ THIS FRIDAY

In a move which TV comedy legend Ricky Tomlinson called an absolute disgrace, the Government has courted controversy after passing on the TV licence concession bill to the BBC to fund. Earlier this week the national broadcaster declared that it would employ means-testing to determine who is and who isn't eligible for a free licence under their new rules.

Previously anyone aged 75 or over could apply for a concessionary licence but that is all set to change as the new rules will mean only those pensioners in receipt of pension credit will be eligible. This will result in an estimated 3 million+ elderly people losing out on their free licence once the new scheme takes effect on the 1st of Jun 2020.

Pensioners groups have argued that the free licence is a lifeline for elderly people which is now being taken away despite promises by the Government in previous years that it would remain. 

Charity group AgeUK has said that the reforms could see over 50,000 pensioners forced into poverty as they urge the government to do a prompt u turn over the decision.

Caroline Abraham's the charity director at Age UK said:

Quote

“Millions of older people, particularly those who are lonely or housebound with disabilities, rely on their TV as their trusted companion and window on the world, and it would be cruel indeed to undermine this in any way."

A petition set up by the charity has seen over 559,000 people sign it over the past few days.

The BBC has defended its position by detailing that the cost to the corporation would be approximately £745 million by 2022, a figure which could rise to over £1 billion by 2029 as the population ages.

Ricky blasted the Government in a speech given at a impromptu protest rally at MediaCityUK over the weekend, he said:

Quote

"They have worked all their life. We've paid into the system and the little bit you've given them back you are now taking away."

Now the The National Pensioners Convention has called for people to make a stand with them against the decision by the Government and the BBC bosses. A Protest will be held outside the BBC's headquarters in Salford's MediaCityUK, the home to the BBC's 5 Live, BBC Sport and Blue Peter to name but a few shows now produced in its Northern HQ.

The demonstration will take place at Noon this Friday 21st June out front of the BBC building, with planned protests taking place across the country at the same time outside other regional BBC offices.

Quote

"The NPC is absolutely clear – if we fail to protect this concession, the Government will begin looking at the winter fuel allowance and the bus pass" states the organisation "That's why we need as big a demonstration as possible out on the street next Friday..."