licence fee – Saddleworth Liberal Democrats

29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

BBC licence fee should be set by independent body

At their Autumn Conference, the Liberal Democrats have agreed proposals that would see the BBC licence fee level set independently next year after government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper warned that the Government must never again be allowed to "force the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between cuts to programming or raising these fees on the most vulnerable." The Party, which led a cross party group of 106 parliamentarians calling for a review of the decision to cut hundreds of BBC staff working across regional programmes, has agreed plans to protect the long–term future of the BBC. Members have also called on the Government to uphold its promise to retain the…

BBC licence fee should be set by independent body, Lib Dems plan

Parliamentary news

The Liberal Democrats are to debate plans at their Autumn conference to ensure the BBC licence fee level is set independently next year after government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s. Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Daisy Cooper, who will move the motion at the Party's first digital conference, warned the Government must never again be allowed to "force the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between cuts to programming or raising these fees on the most vulnerable." The Party, which led a cross party group of 106 parliamentarians calling for a review of the decision to cut hundreds of BBC staff working across regional programmes, will put forward plans to protect the long–term future of the BBC. They will call…

Continue Free Television Licences for Over 75s

Campaigns

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…