03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

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…
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14Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Free television licences for over 75s? Not any more…

Borough news
The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council is furious with the Government.  Councillor Howard Sykes has previously written to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on this issue, seeking a continuation of free television (TV) licences for the over-75s.  Now the Conservative Government is going ahead with charging those over-75s and more than three million households will be required to start paying the £157.50 licence fee from the start of August. For many who live alone, the television is 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: “Millions of pensioners have spent lockdown at home with TV. It…
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09Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Govt must foot the bill to keep TV licences free for over 75s

Parliamentary news
Responding to news that the BBC will ask over 75s to start paying for TV licenses from 1 August, Liberal Democrat Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “Many people over the age of 75 are worried about stepping foot outside their homes due to the risk of COVID-19. For those who are isolated, television is a lifeline - especially right now. It is a travesty that many may now lose access to this vital service. "The Government has forced the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between further cuts to its programming or raising these fees. The Government must foot the bill so that millions of elderly people are not left without television during this ongoing crisis and commit to a new independent body…
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