Scrapping of BBC TV licences for over 75s put ON HOLD over coronavirus
THE BBC will ditch its plans to scrap free TV licences for the over 75s over coronavirus, it was revealed today.
After joint talks between the Beeb and the Government, the plans to charge people the annual £157.50 fee from June 1 were put on hold until at least August.
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It comes amid fears that the elderly will be told to stay in their homes for up to four months to try and stop them from getting coronavirus.
Ministers said that plans were on the way in the coming weeks to try and shield older and more vulnerable from the deadly bug.
Some 36 people in the UK have already died, and more than 1,500 cases have been reported so far.
Age UK said yesterday the elderly will be “even more reliant” on their TV and radio for entertainment during this “unprecedented situation” when they will be consigned to their homes, with family and friends unable to visit.
And they will also need to stay informed about developments in the coronavirus outbreak, with many elderly people not online like the rest of the country.
The BBC revealed plans last year to ditch the free licence for over 75s as part of cost cutting measures.
It comes this morning as:
- Britain’s death toll leapt from 21 to 55 today and included Nick Matthews, 59 — the youngest UK victim
- Millions of workers stay at home today in ghost town Britain
- Brits could face fines or even jail if they ignore quarantine rules under new emergency laws coming to Parliament this week
- Ministers warned they could be forced to ration supermarket products if panic buying continues
- Shoppers continued to raid supermarkets for food and supplies - even as officials begged them not to
- Boris Johnson will chair another emergency COBRA today
- More measures are thought to be revealed - including a ban on mass gatherings
- The youngest UK patient who has died of coronavirus was revealed to be a 59-year-old man yesterday
- Leaked documents say up to 8million could be hospitalised, and the outbreak may last up to a year
The BBC and Department for Culture, Media and Sport said this morning: "During this time we do not want anyone to be worried about any potential change.
"The BBC’s priority over the coming period will be to do everything we can to serve the nation at this uniquely challenging time.
"As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a vital role to play in supplying information to the public in the weeks and months ahead.
"Recognising the exceptional circumstances, the BBC Board has therefore decided to change the start date of the new policy. Our current plan is to now bring it into place on 1 August. We will of course keep the issue under review as the situation continues to evolve."
The BBC's Chairman, Sir David Clementi, said of today's news: "We are in exceptional circumstances. Now is not the right time. We are fully focused on delivering our services to the public at this difficult time."
And Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden welcomed the pause on the plans.
He added: "It is right that the BBC have recognised the exceptional circumstances posed by the Coronavirus outbreak and the need for the whole country to pull together in the national effort."
How you can still watch shows legally WITHOUT a licence
IN the UK, any household watching or recording live television must hold a TV licence.
In recent years, this has been extended to include BBC programmes on iPlayer, whether they are live, catch up or on demand. But does everyone really need a licence? Here’s the lowdown on how to avoid paying – legally.
On demand TV – like catch-up TV and on demand previews – which are available through services like ITV Player , All4 , My5 , BT Vision/BT TV , Virgin Media , Sky Go , Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast , Roku and Amazon Fire TV
On demand movies - from services like Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video
Recorded films and programmes- either via DVD or Blu-ray, or downloaded from the internet
YouTube - On demand video clips through services like YouTube
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Ministers are consulting on whether to scrap the licence fee altogether, it was revealed earlier this year.
Ex-Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said the BBC needed to up its game to keep up with modern Britain.
After 2027, the fee could be long gone.
And they are looking at plans to decriminalise not paying the fee, too.
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