For many people, television is an important connection with the outside world that informs and entertains, it has a role in keeping people company and this can be especially true for older people. I very much take on board the comments which have been made about the way in which the BBC spends money and people have also commented to me about presenter salaries.
I was disappointed that the BBC announced the most narrowly defined option for reform of the over 75s concession. However, it is important to point out that this was the BBC’s decision and not the Government’s, after Parliament legislated to give the BBC the full responsibility from 2020. This was part of a deal the Government reached with the BBC over four years ago, which the BBC described as a good deal that provided financial stability to the organisation through inflation linked increases of the licence fee and the closure of the so-called iPlayer loophole.
As you will be aware, even under the BBC’s current plans, the poorest pensioners will continue to be helped, as the BBC stated that those eligible for Pension Credit will still receive a free TV licence. However, I do not believe that this is the end of the conversation about what the BBC can do to assist older people. Shortly after the announcement, the then Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport met with the BBC to press them to consider further help they can provide and I am sure his successor will continue to keep Parliament updated on her ongoing work in this respect. I, too, will continue to monitor developments closely.