The BBC has launched a consultation to decide how licence fees for over-75s should be paid for. Currently, over-75s don’t pay for their TV licences, as they are financed by a government scheme, though this is due to end in 2020.
According to the BBC, the cost of free licences to the over-75s will total £745 million – which is a fifth of their current budget.
The consultation lists several options for the future of the licence fee, including:
- Scrapping the free licence fee for the over-75s entirely.
- Replace it with a 50% concession on all over-75 households
-This is currently already offered to those with visual impairments. - To increase the age threshold for eligibility
-Raising to 77
-Raising to 80, which would align with other pensioner benefits that begin at 80, like the increase in winter fuel payments. - Means-test eligibility for the concession
This would ensure that those that most need a free TV licence would receive one.
The consultation will run until 12th February, you can take part here: https://www.bbc.com/yoursay
