BBC License new liability for most over 75's

I'm not 75 yet,so I pay anyway.I've had a payment card for years now,I pay £5.75 every 2 weeks,at my local shop,I prefer this to a direct debit.It's not fair that people have to pay now,but there are ways of paying where you don't have to find the full amount in one go,which would be a struggle

If anyone is unhappy about this, they need to let their MP know; this was foisted on the BBC by the government. Many over 75s are comfortably off and able to pay the licence, and for those who do find the extra £3 or so per week a financial struggle; since when have the BBC been responsible for the poor state pensions paid? I agree with a previous poster who said that perhaps an annual tv licence paid for by the family would be a good Xmas gift for an elderly parent. Had my Mother still been alive, we would have done this, it would have been a useful gift for someone who really did not need anymore stuff!!

25Avalon

There is so much biased rubbish on BBC especially since they got rid of Andrew Kier who gave politicians from both sides a good rollicking. I hardly watch it now so won’t be renewing my licence unless it dramatically improves. I will watch tv you don’t need a licence for so won’t be breaking any laws.

If you a television in your home you need a licence Does not matter what stations you may or may not watch

I am 88 and was told about two weeks ago to start a monthly payment or the whole lot immediately. I can’t but hope the Government will rescind this. I am however not going to be silly and go to jail!

If I don't watch BBC programmes I still have to pay the licence fee. Is it impossible to stop me viewing them. You have to pay to view Sky or BT fine. But you can't stop paying for BBC even if you want to.

Me to

My mum is 94 and got her letter about 2 weeks ago. I advised her to wait a little while in case anything changes. She is not very happy about it. For those on PC who don’t have to pay, fine but why assume that everyone else can afford it? My mum just about gets by on her pension but has no “spare” money floating about.

Received a letter 2 weeks ago and paid it online.
My husband is 88 so perhaps they are sending them out in some sort of unknown order

I think that is really sad, ElainI, and there should be something in place for people who have visual difficulties.
I know it is not a common view but I actually think that in order to have a first class national service, it is not unreasonable to have everybody pay a small amount for it except for those who are on a very low income. Whilst I think stars and top dogs are completely overpaid, you have to pay the industry standard to attract the best unless you want to compromise quality.
Before I duck, I just want to say that my Mum received a free licence and will have to pay for it now. She resents it, of course. However, she has the money to pay for it and won't go short. Sadly though, I suspect with the younger generations more inclined to watch streaming services, we will soon see the end of terrestrial tv and this charge is just delaying the inevitable.

My mother who is 85 got her letter last week. She has macular degeneration and cannot read the forms so I paid it online. Took 5 minutes. She is not on pension credit so not entitled to a free licence and is registered partially sighted not severely visually impaired so cannot get it for half price.
She was in a terrible state when the letter came sobbing and beating herself up for not being able to read the forms. This is despite me telling her countless times that I would deal with it and to put the letter aside till I came. I think it was poor planning sending letters out during a pandemic as not everyone will have a family member or close friend able to assist (some not at all) due to social distancing etc. My mother does tend to be selectively visually impaired though as she can see when she wants to!

There is so much biased rubbish on BBC especially since they got rid of Andrew Kier who gave politicians from both sides a good rollicking. I hardly watch it now so won’t be renewing my licence unless it dramatically improves. I will watch tv you don’t need a licence for so won’t be breaking any laws.

I’ve had an e-mail and form to complete to start paying my TV licence again. It came about 2 months ago.

We did get a reminder and we did pay! (with gritted teeth)

Nipsmum - licence pays for all the staff at BBC, and for programmes being made - people do not work for free. How would you suggest these people are paid? -
by the government of the day - not sure if we would really want that - would mean that the said government would have total control over what is being put out on TV.
Through adverts? Not for me, we have too many channels like that as it is -
So without a licence - how???

Why in this day and age should we still need to pay to have a TV. I like everyone else has paid for TV for many years, but why should we need to. I pay road tax to keep up with road maintenance but why do I need to pay to have pictures sent over the air waves. I had to buy my TV and when its old I have to buy another, but I've never understood why I should have to pay to see it.

My other half had a letter, but there is two months grace, so he is waiting - if enough people refuse to pay they may do a U turn!

Slightly to the side of the subject, I read something yesterday about the new chap in charge of the BBC considering a 2-tier lucence: 'basic' for news, Eastenders, and a 'premium' licence for other programmes, including Strictly. Given the recent negative press about having to pay the licence, even if you don't watch any BBC channels (and many don't I understand), I sincerely hope the basic is cheaper than the current licence, and is not used for charging an exorbitant fee for the premium licence. We're thinking of cancelling ours, and just watching the subscription channels you can watch without a licence.

It's easy to set up and pay a small amount monthly or I think you can pay monthly etc at the Post office ? Worth checking

Another idea, why don't those who have a elderly parent or relatives, who are worried about the cost
Buy or pay towards the license fee for them as a gift

Jjst to remind people that the Free Licence for the over-75's was taken away by the Government some years back. The BBC took it on at the time to help people out. Should never have been their responsibility.
If people wish to complain it should be to the Tory Government - not the BBC.
Of course, if UK pensions were brought into line of those paid in other European countries there would not be a need for these little so-called 'extras' like the ' wonderful' £10 christmas present, and and the heating allowance.

But do not think it shouldbe the resposibility of the BBC to cover this.

My Mum who receives PC received a letter outlining all the options. As her POA, I uploaded a copy of her latest PC letter to the TV licencing website. She doesn't have a letter to confirm yet, but I checked online and her free licence has been renewed.
You can check the status of your licence at tvl.co.uk/75apply if you either know your licence number or if they can find you from surname and postcode.
Hope this helps!

songstress60

Don't pay your tv licence! If they did not pay so many presenters outrageous fees there would be money left for free licences. If you are over 75 then make a statement by NOT paying, because they cannot put all of you in prison! My father, when he was alive, said if they removed the free licence he would not pay it.

IMO That's Not good advice though as you will receive a heavy fine & everyone will have to pay up eventually
Is it really worth the stress of threatening letters & hassle?

My 94 year old neighbour had her bill 2 months ago, by post, she does not have internet, paid by cheque.

Just be careful do not follow any email links regarding your tv licensing..
THERES A ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SPAM AND FRAUDULENT EMAILS ABOUT !!!!

No letter as yet but several scam emails. Always click on the senders email address which will confirm it’s not from tv licensing. The advice from Age UK is do nothing until a letter arrives.

Don't pay your tv licence! If they did not pay so many presenters outrageous fees there would be money left for free licences. If you are over 75 then make a statement by NOT paying, because they cannot put all of you in prison! My father, when he was alive, said if they removed the free licence he would not pay it.