Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about free TV licences for people over the age of 75.

Older citizens have worked hard all their lives and deserve a peaceful retirement. We should care for those who have done the same for us for so many years.

The free TV licence has been a lifeline for older people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where TV has been an invaluable source of information, education and company. I am worried that changes to the TV licence for the over-75s has had a real impact on the numbers of isolated and disadvantaged older people on low and modest incomes.

However, unfortunately the UK Government believes free TV licences for over-75s should be funded by the BBC. In 2015, the cost of these licences was shifted to the corporation from 2020 without the funding to sustain the policy. And, as you will know, it was later announced these TV licences would be means-tested, from June 2020, by linking them to Pension Credit. Up to 3.7 million older people have now lost their free TV licences. I believe the Government should accept responsibility for this decision, and I was disappointed that the recent Budget did not include any measures to rectify this situation.

I believe the BBC was left in an impossible position over free TV licences for over-75s and has faced significant financial burdens as a result of this decision, as the bill for free TV licences for those over-75s who are eligible will cost around £250 million. The current Government insists it will not take back responsibility for maintaining these licences.

More widely, the BBC makes a massive contribution to our cultural life, our creative industries, and our cohesion as a society. However, I share concerns that years of funding cuts to the BBC will undermine its editorial independence and damage its regional services, which have been fundamental during the pandemic.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP