Free TV Switched Off - Please help
Published on 12 June 2019 12:48 PM
The BBC have just announced they plan to means test the free TV licence for over 75s.
This means 3.7 million pensioners will lose out on the free TV licence. Means-testing may sound fair but in reality it means at least 650,000 of our poorest pensioners facing a big new annual bill they simply can’t afford. The BBC’s decision will cause many older people enormous anxiety and distress.
But it’s the Government’s job to look after older people, not the BBC’s. Age UK national will be handing in the petition you signed very soon but in the meantime, we urgently need your help to put as much pressure as possible on the Government.
How will older people be affected?
Removing older people's access to TV would be an unthinkably cruel blow when many are already facing huge challenges.Half of all over 75s are living with a disability, and many rely on their TV for companionship and entertainment.For those who don't have the internet, TV lets them stay up to date with what's happening in the world.Nearly a third of over 75s are living in poverty or just above the poverty line. Paying a hefty extra bill would simply be impossible when they're barely scraping by as it is.
What can we do?
Together, we must demand the government takes back responsibility for keeping TV free for the oldest people in our society.
Please write to your MP and demand the Government takes back responsibility
Because it’s not just a licence. It’s a lifeline.
Please click the button below, to visit the Age UK national website page and create an email to your MP
STOP PRESS
You've probablly noticed the huge amount of media coverage Age UK National's campaign has had. It's been on 12 front pages, been on every news channel and The Sun, The Mail, The Express and The Mirror are backing the campaign. Age UK National had an enormous 575,000 signatures to the petition.
If we keep up the pressure we can get our next Prime Minister to save free TV for over 75s but we need to act quickly.
Could you write to Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson to ask them to commit to funding the concession?
Just click on the buttons below to visit the action page to make your feelings felt.
Write to our next Prime Minister >
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A personal appeal by a care worker:
One of our EveryDay Care assistants (Charmain McCabe) was so moved by the thought of TV being taken away from those she cares for that she wrote this totally unprompted appeal:
"I am currently a Personal Care Assistant for EveryDay Care, the social enterprise wholly owned by the charity Age UK North Tyneside, and I first hand see the conditions that people live in, and the budget that they have. Many of the people I support have no family, friends or way of even getting out and about. Sometimes they are living in accommodation that isn’t acceptable for their needs, with minimal support, and for us there is nothing we can do but provide the best care we can while we are there.
Loneliness is a killer and these people have helped shape our country; to help fight wars, fight for independence, fight for women’s rights, worker’s rights and over-all human rights.
They have voted for your government to take care of them like they have for all of us, and in return they are not even entitled to a tiny bit of gratitude.
Convicted criminals get to watch T.V., earn money and benefits for committing crimes to innocent people but, what about the innocent pensioners who have helped shape the world where we live get nothing?
Are you accounting for the money they spend on Care-call, home care, social interaction at a St. John’s ambulance or a wellbeing centre, the only interaction they may have all week or month?
We spend our lives working and paying taxes and fighting for our country, to be forgotten about when we reach a certain age, and are considered no use to some people.
Well I can tell you first-hand, these people are more use than most of us will ever be. There is so much to learn if you listen. It is a pleasure and a privilege to say I care for these people.
I value every day I get to spend with them listening to their wisdom and making a difference. I wish you would look beyond profit and see into lives of people you could be affecting. Please help save T.V. licences."