Over 75 TV licence

I have signed the petition.

I had something pointed out to me, a couple of days ago, which I had not considered. I don’t think the ‘Powers that be’ have thought of it either.
Older people have extra expense imposed upon them by hospital visits, taxis (after giving up driving), paying for carers, respite etc. The list goes on. I realise that not everyone has any of these extra costs but, many do.

The letter I have received informs me that the change doesn't come into effect until June 2020, so until then we don't have to pay for the licence. The concession still applies to anyone receiving Pension Credit and, from what I've heard, many pensioners, who were not aware that they might be eligible for this benefit, have decided to apply for it which is going to cost the Government more than they saved by hiving off the licence to the BBC. With any luck we might see a change of government sometime in the coming year. Would the current opposition reinstate the concession?

The petition that they debated , stated they would consult with the BBC who now are in control of the TV licence and not a separate body.
There is the other petition still going which refers to bus passes as well, but the ideas are made by the House of lords who seem to be more out of touch with reality.
Mick

I think the free tv license for the over 75s, the winter fuel payment, the bus pass and the risible Christmas bonus were all introduced at a time when the plan was to give pensioners a little bit more more money without moving them over the bottom tax threshold.

It was the same with child benefit because the child tax allowance had been taken away.

Then, of course, the government could boast about its generosity.

absent you have a point there , when I became 65 , 6 years ago the income tax threshold for pensioners was also scraped, so I pay the normal rate as to my additional pensions and after tax is taken out , leaves me with an income far less than what I was earing in my last full time job.
Mick

My OH will be 75 in May 2020 so he will loose out on the free licence, whilst we are fortunate to not to have to claim pension credit and are comfortable with regard our income this concession was always on my OHs bucket list for when he reached the magic age for it to be taken away so near to the time.

It is a good thing that this has prompted more people to apply for pension credit but I still think that these pensioner 'benefits' like wfa, free prescriptions should not be universal.

Hopefully I'll get one more free one as ours comes up for renewal in April.

Gonegirl Will you only get it for the April &May period or for the full year.?

Mine is due in November and I have a feeling my freebie will be November to the end of May.

Charleygirl5 my feelings also.

I think that all of us over 75 will start a paying for a new licence at the same time, 1st June and that is easier for the powers that be who collect the dosh.

I'm hoping I get it for the year Glamma. If it doesn't come in till June it shouldn't affect anything before that.

The buggers.

If it does come in I hope we'll be able to pay monthly.
But probably they'll say the first year in advance .

I pay monthly for ours and DD’s TV licence Fennel so I don’t feel it as much as shelling out in one go. When you’re hard up it’s too tempting to let things like TV licences fall by the way side so it gives me peace of mind to know she’s covered. Every little helps as the saying goes .

With regards to free TV licences my argument has always been that there are some very well off over 75’s and done extremely poor young families . Ditto winter fuel allowances etc.

Some not done !

Exactly, gilly!

I do feel that if a freebie like a TV licence is given out it should not be taken away.

Will the same happen to our bus passes and winter fuel allowance? If the powers that be really want to save money- merge the tenner around Christmas with the winter fuel allowance. I have forgotten what the tenner was for!