Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has appealed to the Government. This is in a letter to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The intention is to provide enough funding to continue free television (TV) licences. This is for the over-75s beyond the current 1st August 2020 cut-off date. The call comes as Covid-19 prevents many elderly people who are shielding from going out as normal.
For many who live alone, the television may be their sole companion. Not just a source of entertainment, the television allows people to stay informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation.
Councillor Sykes comments: “Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older citizens. Government advice is for the elderly and vulnerable is to self-isolate, to stay home to stay safe.”
He finishes to say: “To me it seems wholly inappropriate to expect the over-75s to pay for a television licence at this time. I think it would be an excellent goodwill gesture for the Government to continue providing funding to the BBC so our elders can enjoy TV and stay informed without the worry.”
Copy of letter to:
16 June 2020
To the Rt. Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP Secretary of State, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: Free Television Licences for Over 75s
I am writing to you, as Leader of the Opposition and as Leader on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, to appeal for the Government to provide sufficient funding to continue free television licences for the over-75s beyond the current 1 August cut-off date.
In May, we marked the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, a commemoration of the sacrifice made by our forebears and their allies in liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny.
This generation, now frail and elderly, continues to pay the greatest price at this time of the coronavirus pandemic. Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older citizens, and Government advice is for the elderly and vulnerable to self-isolate, to stay home to stay safe.
For many living alone, the television may be their sole companion; other contact with friends and family being sporadic or non-existent. Yet, in addition to being a source of entertainment, television has a critical function as the principal means by which the self-isolated may remain informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation.
So, to me it seems wholly inappropriate to expect the over-75s to pay for a television licence at this time, and it would be an excellent goodwill gesture for the Government to continue providing funding to the BBC to meet the shortfall.
I would therefore like to add my voice to the increasing chorus of people calling for a moratorium on charging our over-75s a television licence fee.
Yours sincerely,
Howard Sykes