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<p>Following the licence fee settlement agreement in 2015, the future of the over
75 licence fee concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government.
Therefore, the BBC is responsible for conducting an assessment of the effect of the
policy to no longer fund free TV licences for all people aged over 75 on loneliness
among older people from 1 June 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The BBC acknowledged
the impact of loneliness when, following public consultation, it set out its decision
on the future of the concession. This can be viewed online: <a href="http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age/decision-document.pdf"
target="_blank">http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age/decision-document.pdf</a></p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>You will also be aware that, recognising the exceptional circumstances
of the national Coronavirus situation, the BBC Board has decided to change the start
date of the new policy. The current plan is to now bring it into place on 1 August
and the BBC will keep the issue under review.</p><p> </p>
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