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1403074

registered interest
date	14/01/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of demand letters for non-payment of the TV Licence fee that have been sent to people who are over 75 years of age.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	104345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2022 answer text <p>More than nine in ten over-75s customers have now made arrangements for a free or paid licence, or updated the BBC on a change in their circumstances. The BBC has provided assurances to the government that its letter writing policy has not changed since the over-75s concession was removed.</p><p>The Secretary of State has been clear that the BBC must ensure that it supports those affected by its decision on the over-75s concession and we expect them to do so with the utmost sensitivity.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 20/01/2022 15:51:41 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1403075

registered interest
date	14/01/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had recent discussions with Capita on collecting non-payment of TV Licence fines from people who are over 75.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	104346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2022 answer text <p>The Government has not had any recent discussions with Capita on the issue of TV Licencing. Responsibility for collecting and enforcing the Licence Fee is the responsibility of the BBC.</p><p>We expect the BBC to ensure that it supports those affected by its decision on the over-75s concession with the utmost sensitivity.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 20/01/2022 15:53:32 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1382023

registered interest
date	24/11/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what further steps they are taking to overturn the BBC removal of free TV licences for those over 75 years old.
tabling member printed	Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown
uin	HL4378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2021 answer text <p>The Government remains deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the licence fee concession for people over the age of 75 to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for people over the age of 75 and believe they should be funded by the BBC.</p><p>The Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the Government. This reform was subject to public discussion and debated extensively during the passage of the Act through Parliament. The BBC must ensure that it supports those affected by its decision, and it must look at how it uses its substantial licence fee income to support older people.</p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 08/12/2021 15:23:46 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
tabling member	655 label Biography information for Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown

1351226

registered interest
date	18/08/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the BBC on (a) the cost of TV licences for over 75s and (b) the appropriateness of taking enforcement action, including prosecution, against people who have not paid for a licence.
tabling member constituency	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
tabling member printed	Stuart C McDonald
uin	40943
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2021 answer text <p>The future of the over 75 concession, including cost, is now a matter for the BBC following the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017.</p><p>The government remains deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over 75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.</p><p>The BBC also remains responsible for enforcing and administering the TV licence. The BBC must ensure that it supports those affected by its decision on the over 75s concession and we expect it to do so with the utmost sensitivity.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 06/09/2021 16:40:00 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4393 label Biography information for Stuart C McDonald

1331620

registered interest
date	09/06/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to decriminalise the non-payment of the BBC licence fee by senior citizens.
tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
uin	HL979
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>A government response on the issue of decriminalisation of TV licence evasion was published earlier this year. The responses to the consultation show that a significant number of people oppose the criminal sanction with some highlighting the considerable stress and anxiety it can cause for individuals, including the most vulnerable in society, such as older people.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government is therefore keeping the issue of decriminalisation under active consideration while more work is done to understand the impact of alternative enforcement schemes.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:27:35 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott

1329376

registered interest
date	04/06/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC on the reform to the over 75's TV Licence concession.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
uin	10654
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2021 answer text <p>The government regularly meets the BBC to discuss a wide range of issues, including the over 75s concession. The government remains deeply disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government. The BBC must ensure that it supports those affected by its decision, and it must look at how it uses its substantial licence fee income to support older people.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 11/06/2021 10:38:04 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1299173

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on (a) providing a free TV licence for people aged over 75 and (b) decriminalising licence evasion for people aged over 75.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	162603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2021 answer text <p>The Secretary of State meets regularly with a range of stakeholders, including the BBC. All DCMS ministerial meetings are disclosed on gov.uk, and the most recent can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-1-july-to-30-september-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-1-july-to-30-september-2020</a>.</p><p>The government remains deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the over-75s concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not the government. The BBC is also responsible for the collection and enforcement of the TV licence fee.</p><p>The government has said that the BBC must look at how it uses its substantial licence fee income to support older people. As part of the 2022 licence fee settlement negotiations, the Secretary of State has asked the BBC to set out any further plans it has to support those in vulnerable groups, including the elderly.</p><p>The government also remains concerned that a criminal sanction for TV licence evasion is increasingly disproportionate and unfair in a modern public service broadcasting system, and will keep the issue under active consideration while more work is done to understand the impact of alternative enforcement schemes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 10/03/2021 13:41:34 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1293634

registered interest
date	01/03/2021
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on exempting from the TV licence fee people over the age of 75 who are registered as partially sighted.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool North and Cleveleys
tabling member printed	Paul Maynard
uin	160612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>The Government is deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC. The Government has said that the BBC must do more to support older people.</p><p>However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the over-75s concession is the responsibility of the BBC, including whether it is extended to people aged over 75 and who are partially sighted.</p><p>TV Licence concessions are also available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old. There are no further concessions available for people with disabilities or other health conditions, and we are not considering changes to the current concessions regime at this time.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 09/03/2021 16:59:19 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard

1252129

registered interest
date	16/11/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold discussions with the TV Licensing Authority on the (a) the time taken to process cheque payments from people over 75 and (b) issuing reminder letters to people who have already paid for their TV licence.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	115646
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2020 answer text <p>The BBC and TV Licensing are responsible for the collection and enforcement of the licence fee, not the government.</p><p>The government is therefore not involved in how TV Licensing processes payments, including cheques, or how and when it issues reminder letters.</p><p>However, the government expects TV Licensing to collect the licence fee in an efficient and proportionate manner, and to ensure particularly sensitive handling for those aged 75 and over who may be affected by the BBC’s changes to the over 75 concession.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 19/11/2020 16:37:12 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1249054

registered interest
date	05/11/2020
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Television Licences: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What assessment his Department has made of the effect of the removal of the TV licence concession for the over-75s on the Government’s loneliness strategy.
tabling member constituency	Luton South
tabling member printed	Rachel Hopkins
uin	908273
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2020 answer text <p>We remain disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe the BBC must look at how it uses its substantial licence fee income to support older people.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government remains committed to working with partners across society to tackle loneliness. During Covid-19 we’ve provided £18 million for loneliness charities, updated our awareness campaign and launched a new Tackling Loneliness Network.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 05/11/2020 17:42:49 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4873 label Biography information for Rachel Hopkins