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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

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

1231609

registered interest
date	04/09/2020
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, what estimate his Department has made of the number of over 75s in the Foyle constituency who will be required to pay for TV licences.
tabling member constituency	Foyle
tabling member printed	Colum Eastwood
uin	85124
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2020 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.</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 look urgently at how it can use its substantial licence fee income to support older people and deliver for UK audiences of all ages.</p><p>The BBC has estimated that around 3.7 million households will now be expected to pay for their TV licence as a result of its decision. The BBC has not published information on the breakdown by constituency of those affected by its decision.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 09/09/2020 15:20:01 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4846 label Biography information for Colum Eastwood

1225923

registered interest
date	17/07/2020
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 protect free tv licenses for over 75's in (a) Newport West, (b) Wales, and (c) the UK.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	76117
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2020 answer text <p>The government is deeply disappointed that the BBC has chosen not to extend the over 75 licence fee concession. 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 the BBC is responsible for the concession, not the Government. The BBC must look urgently at how it can use its substantial licence fee income to support older people and deliver for UK audiences of all ages.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 23/07/2020 11:32:07 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1196263

registered interest
date	15/05/2020
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 further discussions with the BBC on their decision to remove the free television licence concession for people aged over 75.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	47206
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believes that they should be funded by the BBC. The Government is disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession only to those in receipt of Pension Credit. However, the BBC remains responsible for the administration of the concession and it will be responsible for setting out what those affected will need to do.</p><p> </p><p>The BBC and the Government have been discussing the national Coronavirus situation. Recognising the exceptional circumstances, the BBC Board decided to change the start date of its new policy on over 75s. The current plan is to reduce the concession on 1 August and the BBC will keep the issue under review as the situation continues to evolve.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 20/05/2020 12:00:18 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1174325

registered interest
date	29/01/2020
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 Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on increasing the take-up of Pension Credit by pensioners who are eligible for that benefit ahead of the withdrawal of free TV licences for people over 75.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff West
tabling member printed	Kevin Brennan
uin	9604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/02/2020 answer text <p>Policy responsibility for take-up of Pension Credit is a matter solely for the Department for Work and Pensions.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>However, the Government is committed to ensuring that older people receive the support they are entitled to and the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to benefits at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits to potential customers; including information on https://gov.uk/, in leaflets and by telephone. DWP staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide help and advice about entitlement to benefits, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 03/02/2020 17:30:44 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	1400 label Biography information for Kevin Brennan

1173229

registered interest
date	24/01/2020
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 Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives from the BBC on the decision to remove the free TV licence for pensioners aged 75 and over.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	7613
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC and asked them to do more to help those affected by the BBC’s decision.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those aged over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe that they should be funded by the BBC.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 29/01/2020 12:57:24 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1172051

registered interest
date	20/01/2020
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 Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold discussions with representatives of the BBC on reinstating the TV licence concession for the over-75s.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	5336
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC and asked them to do more to help those affected by its decision</p><p>The Government is disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those aged over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit. <br> <br>We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe that they should be funded by the BBC.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 23/01/2020 09:11:13 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1171137

registered interest
date	15/01/2020
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, what assessment she has made of the effect of the policy to no longer fund free TV licences for people aged over 75 on loneliness among older people.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	3870
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2020 answer text <p>Following the licence fee settlement agreement in 2015, the future of the over 75s concession and how it is funded is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government.</p><p>The government is disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit.</p><p>We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 20/01/2020 17:05:44 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1142295

registered interest
date	25/07/2019
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 her policy is on the provision of free television licences to pensioners over the age of 75.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley East
tabling member printed	Stephanie Peacock
uin	282554
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2019 answer text <p>In the 2015 funding settlement, we agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020. The BBC's Director General, Lord Hall, said after the settlement in 2015: &quot;the government's decisions to put the cost of the over-75's on us has been more than matched by the deal coming back for the BBC.&quot;</p><p>The BBC announced in June 2019 that, only people who are aged 75 and above and in receipt of pension credit will continue to receive a free television licence from June 2020.</p><p>The Government is very disappointed with this decision. People across the country value television as a way to stay connected, and the Government expects the BBC to look at further ways to support older people. My officials will be continuing discussions with the BBC in order to look at further ways to support older people.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 05/09/2019 10:51:29 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4607 label Biography information for Stephanie Peacock