Over 75s to pay TV licence fee from June 2020

By Charles Daniel, Senior Media group

The BBC TV licence for pensioners aged 75 years and older will no longer be free starting from 1 June 2020.

The only exceptions are for pensioners who are on pension credit. Up to 3.7million people will be affected.

Are we losing the very fundamentals of society that we hold dear?

Mainly that the idea of charity is for the greater good.

As a pensioner who is on benefits, I would probably be exempt. Nevertheless, I feel there are many more deserving pensioners – if not all – who in their senior years should be treated with great respect.

After all, each and every one of us has contributed not only to the wealth of this great nation, but also to our shared pride which we show to the world as a leader in human dignity.

It seems to me that too much emphasis, when dealing with the essence of human dignity, is placed on profit and loss.

This is the stumbling block that thwarts the conscience of the people in power.

How to apply for a free over 75 TV Licence until June 2020?

Once you or someone you live with are over 74 you are eligible to apply for the over 75 free licence for your household. Remember that you don’t automatically get an over 75 TV Licence on your 75th birthday. You have to apply for one.

BBC Licence helpline: 0300 790 6117

Have the following information to handy:

• Name and address
• Date of birth
• National insurance number
• Current TV licence number