I signed - although I did feel a bit guilty, as we could afford to pay for a TV Licence.
I don't like the idea of having to pay prescription charges, though. Many elderly folk must be on repeat prescriptions (luckily not I!) and what are the charges now ...? Is it £9 for every item? That could amount to quite a lot out of their pensions, and make the difference between managing and floundering! And ditching bus passes could mean that a lot of older people would have to choose between getting out and about and other essentials.
I think there's a lot of jealousy nowadays for the 'baby-boomers'. Work was plentiful, house ownership was achievable, etc. What a lot of younger people don't recognise is that we were brought up in a time of frugality. If you couldn't afford something, you went without - or saved to buy it.
Nowadays, they buy it on their Credit Card, or get a loan and pay interest. Can't be without the latest mobile phone, TV, - wotever! They aren't prepared to wait and 'make-do'.
I went without lots of things when I was first married ('fridge, freezer, washing machine, TV, etc. and most of our furniture was second-hand) in order to be able to afford a mortgage.
No, we weren't just 'lucky' - we were sensible and self-denying! Things we were brought up to be. Time has moved on, but the younger generation could learn a lot from us 'baby-boomers'!
(Sorry, gone a bit 'off-post'.)