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The corporation has delayed the introduction of means-testing until the start of August as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But, Age UK has called on the BBC to “scrap its charging plan entirely and sit down with ministers to agree a different approach so these licences can stay free”.

For older people’s health and wellbeing it is imperative that free TV licences forover-75s are retained

Caroline Abrahams

The charity warned the BBC’s proposed replacement plan “would inadvertently place some older people at heightened risk of contracting” coronavirus because the processes involved “envisaged contravene the official advice the Government has issued”.

Age UK said proposals on how to send in evidence of receipt of pension credit to qualify for a free TV licence would mean older people advised to self-isolate having to leave their homes.

A spokesman said: “The leaflet about the BBC’s new scheme advised older people that they could get this photocopied at their local corner shop, or public library, and yet older people who are shielding are still being advised to avoid all shops, while meanwhile libraries remain closed.”

Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “Keeping TV licences free for our over-75s is more important than ever before now, because older people are relying on their TV for news, for the latest information about staying safe, and for entertainment to distract them from the anxiety and sadness so many feel.

“For the sake of older people’s health as well as their wellbeing it is imperative that free TV licences for our over-75s are retained.

“The last thing anyone in the BBC or Government wants, I am sure, is to add to the risks of any older person contracting this deadly virus and yet, as it stands, the BBC’s replacement scheme look like doing precisely this.”

A BBC spokesman said: “As we have previously said, due to the exceptional circumstances, the BBC board decided to delay the start date of the new policy.

“We will, of course, continue to keep the issue – and how we best help older people claim a free licence – under review, as the situation evolves.”

Outgoing Director-General Lord Hall said: “The board took the decisions to delay a few months ago. We are preparing for an August launch.

“However they made it clear at the time they would review the situation closer to the time.”

Lord Hall also defended licence-payers having to pick up the huge bill to pay for its channels.

He said: “People in their droves – 94 percent of the population of the UK – have turned to the BBC for either information, education or entertainment during this crisis.

“So the question is, ‘What’s the best way of funding that universally so that everybody, this great democratic idea, gets something we can all share?

“I hope that there will be a big debate about the best way of funding the BBC.”

The decision to scrap the free TV licences for over-75s was first made last year, which the then Prime Minister Theresa May said it left her “very disappointed”.

Regarding the delay in the rollout, the BBC and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “The BBC and the Government have been discussing the national coronavirus situation.

“Changes to the TV licence for people aged over 75 had been due to come into effect on 1 June. But during this time we do not want anyone to be worried about any potential change.

“The BBC’s priority over the coming period will be to do everything we can to serve the nation at this uniquely challenging time.

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“As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a vital role to play in supplying information to the public in the weeks and months ahead.

“Recognising the exceptional circumstances, the BBC Board has therefore decided to change the start date of the new policy.

“Our current plan is to now bring it into place on 1 August. We will, of course, keep the issue under review as the situation continues to evolve.”

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