Majority of Echo readers think TV licences should stay free for all over-75s

The BBC announced this week that it will be going ahead with plans to change the licence fee for over-75s to ‘means tested’.

An estimated three million households are now set to start paying for their TV licences from next month.

Those who are over 75 and receive Pension Credit could still get the licence free of charge.

The plans were originally set to go ahead in June, but were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ninety-one per cent of those who voted on our Facebook page were in favour of continuing to waive the licence fee for over-75s.

This is what you had to say on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

James Ferguson: “The BBC should self fund, with people opting into financially supporting it if they want to just like Netflix, Now TV or any other TV service.”

Ann Jones: “Nobody should have to pay the TV licence now as technology is the way of the world. Why don’t the BBC get supported by adverts like ITV and Sky do?”

Janet Duell: “While I think it should be scrapped all together, it’s probably not going to happen but yes, definitely means test it.”

Adam Jefferson: “The TV licence should be scrapped completely and like every other channel in the UK just show adverts instead.”

Clair Louise Bellfield: “The BBC should be a subscription service so you can watch if you want, and if you don't want to watch, you don't pay just like Now TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.”

Margaret Garrett: “I don’t think anyone should have to pay. You should be able to choose which company you go to.”

Mary Bell: “Let the BBC turn to advertising, scrap the licence.”

Andrew Martin: “A compulsory license fee is outdated. Should be funded by subscription or advertising.”

Ann Errington: “Perhaps if the BBC did not pay such high wages to people then they would not need such a high fee.”

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