A FURIOUS pensioner has stormed the BBC’s offices in protest at the broadcaster’s decision to axe free licences for millions of over-75s.
The woman was among a group of pensioners who travelled to the corporation’s Media City offices at Salford Quays, home of BBC 5 Live and BBC Sport.
She stood in the doorway after security staff had tried to prevent her from entering.
The BBC sparked fury this is week when it said announced 3.7million pensioners who previously received a free licence will have to pay for it from June next year.
The demo had been organised by the National Pensioners Convention, currently holding their annual meeting in Blackpool, with a coach load of supporters leaving the event to travel to Salford.
Among them was Royle Family actor Ricky Tomlinson, 79, who said of the elderly: “One of the biggest things they’ve got to keep them going is the television.
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace. I don’t think the BBC should be funding this at all – I think the Government should be funding this.
“Don’t take it off the pensioners, leave them alone, let them live out their days with a bit of peace and a bit of dignity.”
Two petitions have been launched while furious viewers have cancelled their TV licences in protest.
One petition by Age UK has racked up 450,000 signatures at the time of writing.
The charity said: “For over a million of the oldest people in our country, television is their main form of company. Right now, that’s under threat.”
While one campaign on Parliament’s petition website has increased now has 145,000 signatures, meaning the issue can now be considered for debate.
At present, all over-75s receive a free TV licence, but from next year only those households with a member who receives pension credit will be eligible, about 900,000 people.
Those found to be ineligible for a free licence will have to pay £154.50 a year for a colour television and £52 a year for a black and white set.
But two fifths of people who are entitled to this benefit aren’t getting it, according Age UK.
The BBC said the move aims to protect programming while dealing with the extra funding burden sparked by the Government passing the cost of funding free licences onto the BBC as part of an updated charter agreement.
In a statement the corporation said it has contacted charities and other groups to work to raise the awareness of Pension Credit in addition to its own campaign.
“If the BBC were to fund free licences for all over 75s it would mean unprecedented closures of services and make the BBC substantially worse for all audiences, so we chose the fairest option by helping the poorest older pensioner,” it said.
A Government spokesman said: “We’re very disappointed with this decision – we’ve been clear that we want and expect the BBC to continue this concession.
“People across the country value television as a way to stay connected, and we want the BBC to look at further ways to support older people.
“Taxpayers want to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers for UK audiences, which includes showing restraint on salaries for senior staff.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
