Dame Helen Mirren slams 'heartbreaking' move to axe free TV licences for over-75s

[snoop1130]

Dame Helen Mirren slams 'heartbreaking' move to axe free TV licences for over-75s

 

Dame Helen Mirren is one of 20 celebrities calling for a reversal of the move

 

Dame Helen Mirren has joined the fight to save free TV licences for all over-75s - describing the decision to axe the provision as "heartbreaking".

 

A free TV licence will only be available to households with someone over 75 who receives pension credit from June next year.

 

Dame Helen, 73, is one of 20 celebrities - including Sir Lenny Henry, Lionel Blair, Christopher Biggins, Len Goodman and Angela Rippon - who have signed an open letter calling on the government to ensure the funding continues.

 

She said: "It's just absolutely heartbreaking that so many older people are going to lose their free licence, when television plays such an important role in their lives.

 

Full Story: https://news.sky.com/story/dame-helen-mirren-slams-heartbreaking-move-to-axe-free-tv-licences-for-over-75s-11764812

[Orton Rd]

Nobody has to pay it at all, just tell them you no linger watch live tv etc, then don't answer the door to them!

[DoctorG]

Is the UK the only place in the world that requires you to buy a licence to watch tv?

[brewsterbudgen]

Is the UK the only place in the world that requires you to buy a licence to watch tv?

No.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[sammieuk1]

My 91 year old disabled dad now sits in the chair 24/7 with the TV off despite paying for a licence not starting until next year (BBC bastards)????

[VocalNeal]

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

Is the UK the only place in the world that requires you to buy a licence to watch tv?

People in the USA pay to watch PBS? No different. Some people prefer TV without constant adverts. Same as people prefer interweb without adverts.

 

Tax on gasoline pays for road systems, etc, etc. 

Edited July 18, 2019 by VocalNeal

[Katipo]

"It said continuing to fund the scheme - which amounts to £745m a year - would result in "unprecedented closures"." ..Bullsh*t, they aren't funding it, they just aren't getting revenue from it. Never have. There are more households paying the broadcasting fee in Britain today than ever before. The elderly rely on TV more than any other group, and are also one of the most least likely to be able to afford it. If you take this away from them, you are almost certainly going to see a rise in depression and other mental health issues in this vulnerable group.

[ianezy0]

I like Helen Mirren. Sexy still at 73. 

I am 62 so I could be her gigolo ????

[wotsdermatter]

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

People in the USA pay to watch PBS?

No, they do not.

'nuf sed.

[Mansell]

3 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

People in the USA pay to watch PBS? No different. Some people prefer TV without constant adverts. Same as people prefer interweb without adverts.

 

Tax on gasoline pays for road systems, etc, etc. 

But you don't need a license to watch TV in America......so your statement is incorrect. PBS is just one channel, so it isn't the same as Britain.

[transam]

12 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Nobody has to pay it at all, just tell them you no linger watch live tv etc, then don't answer the door to them!

I thought the license is for wavelength receiving apparatus...

[Orton Rd]

There is an opt on on the licensing website, i watched somebody do it on YT. More people must be doing it that's why they are having to take the free ones away.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2019 by Orton Rd

[transam]

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one?WT.ac=home_plt_check

[DoctorG]

6 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

No.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Couldn't work a little harder could you and name those other countries? Thanks.

[natway09]

In this day & age there should not be a "licence fee" at all. Stupid England

[brewsterbudgen]

Couldn't work a little harder could you and name those other countries? Thanks.

You can Google them. It's not hard.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk

[Traubert]

BBC Radio is fantastic.

 

Richard Attenborough is fantastic as is Jules Holland. The orchestras are great. Sue Barker is still worth one.

 

The rest is crap and it has far too many overpaid managers.

[VocalNeal]

21 hours ago, Mansell said:

But you don't need a license to watch TV in America......so your statement is incorrect. PBS is just one channel, so it isn't the same as Britain.

My point was that even people in the so called land of the free pay for good TV programs without advertising.

 

The "license" as such is not permission to own a TV, just as a dog license is not permission to own a dog. The TV thing is simply a tax levy so the national broadcaster can provide content without advertising. 

 

You have to think in a more general way and not simply considering a  statement being the be all and end all.

[brewsterbudgen]

The BBC and the NHS are national treasures and the envy of the world.

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[VocalNeal]

Just a thought for our US cousins. Without UK TV license fees there wouldn't be BBC America.