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Written question asked by Paul Sweeney (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 June 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 July 2019 (named day). It was answered by Jeremy Wright (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 July 2019 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Television Licences: Older People

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that people over 75 who cannot afford to pay for a TV licence will be able to access democracy and keep informed of current affairs from June 2020.

Answer

The future of the over 75 licence fee concession is the responsibility of the BBC. In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government and the BBC agreed that responsibility for the concession would transfer to the BBC in June 2020.

However, the Government is disappointed with the BBC’s decision as it has been clear that it wants and expects the BBC to continue this concession. Since the BBC took its decision, I have met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC and I have asked them to do more to help the most vulnerable groups affected by the decision.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
269764
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Concessions Older people Politics and government Television licences
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk