PENSIONERS rallied outside the BBC headquarters in Oxford to protest against the removal of free TV licences for over-75s.

Holding banners and chanting ‘free TV for OAPs’, they were led at lunchtime by the Oxfordshire branch of the National Pensioners’ Convention, which called for protests outside regional BBC offices.

A demonstration also took place outside New Broadcasting House in London.

Oxford Mail:

After the Government decided to stop paying for free TV licences for over-75s in 3.7 million households from June 2020 the BBC was asked to come up with a new scheme.

READ AGAIN: TV licence fees for over-75s will be means tested

It decided to stop the concession, although those over 75 claiming pension credit will still be eligible for a free licence.

 

John Paine, 77, from Summertown, who is secretary of the county’s branch of the NPC, urged the BBC to rethink.

Oxford Mail:

He said: “The free licence for over 75s is a social welfare benefit so it’s a direct responsibility of the Government and the Government is trying to get out of the responsibility.

“The BBC is not being funded adequately by the Government to take this on.”

READ AGAIN: The TV licence fee debate so far

Dr Judith Wardle, 76, a trustee of Age UK Oxfordshire, who lives in North Leigh, West Oxfordshire, said the TV was a lifeline for many lonely pensioners who lived on their own.

Oxford Mail:

She added: “For many pensioners the TV is their only companion.

“I like watching TV dramas and repeats of The Last of the Summer Wine.

“If I have to pay the licence fee I will pay it reluctantly and the money (£154.50) will come out of my pension.”

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Ian Millington, 71, of Shabbington, near Thame, joined the protest with partner Mary Fox on her birthday.

He said: “The TV keeps lonely pensioners in touch with the world - I blame the governors of the BBC for rolling over on this but not the BBC itself.”

Oxford Mail:

Marion Gunther, 85, from Garsington, could not attend the rally outside the BBC offices in Banbury Road,

But she said: “Many of us who live alone and have limited mobility find the TV company and a way of keeping in touch with everyday events.

“To be faced with an extra big bill would cause stress among the poorest in society.

“In order to pay, a choice between cutting down on food or heating is too dreadful to contemplate.

“This is an important issue in our democratic society - we can win.”

Journalists from the BBC and ITV joined the Oxford Mail to report on the Summertown rally.

In a letter to the Oxford Mail Clare Sumner, BBC director (Policy), wrote: “This is a vital issue - for older readers in the South East who will be directly affected by this decision from 2020 but also for everyone who cares about the BBC and the programmes and services we provide.

“It was the Government who decided to stop paying for free TV licences. Parliament then gave the BBC responsibility to decide on any new scheme, which we would then need to pay for.

“Continuing to offer free licences to all over 75s beyond 2020 would cost us £745m a year - and rising.”