TUC calls on government to reverse TV licence policy

10 September 2019

The government’s policy on TV licences for the over-75s must be reversed, delegates at the Trades Union Congress agreed.

The Bectu sector of Prospect motion also said that:
  • the BBC needs a sustainable funding model to maintain high quality programming and
  • its political independence must be maintained in the future.
Gavin Moffitt from the Bectu sector of Prospect said: “Prospect’s position is that the BBC is a cornerstone of the UK’s public service broadcasting system and needs adequate funding to continue providing a unique mix of programming, without advertising, aimed at the broad range of interests among the UK audience.
“Prospect supports the continuation of free TV licences for all pensioners over the age of 75, but we believe the cost of this should revert to government, since the burden of the concession cannot be carried by the BBC without significant reductions in the services it provides.
“And the reality is that any reduction of services would inevitably mean job losses within the BBC, not for the highly-paid on air talent who will still be employed, but for ordinary union members like you and me.”
You can read the motion, which was seconded by the National Union of Journalists, here.