Angry viewers are gearing up for a day of demonstrations organised by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) in a bid to force BBC bosses to reconsider their plans to restrict free licences for the elderly to those claiming Pension Credit. The move, announced last Monday, caused uproar and BBC stars including Michael Palin and Jeremy Paxman have slammed the decision. The NPC is calling for mass protests outside BBC offices at noon on Friday, June 21. 

The protests come as the Daily Express delivered more than 32,000 letters from furious readers to the BBC studios in London. 

Beeb bosses refused to meet with an Express journalist and a security guard was instead sent to retrieve the four sacks of mail. 

A statement posted on the NPC’s Facebook page read: “The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) is calling on local pensioner groups, trade unions, community groups, students, members of the public, MPs and councillors to make a stand on Friday 21 June against the BBC’s decision to means-test the TV licence for older people and the Government’s decision to make the BBC pay for the concession.”

The number of pensioners who benefit from a free TV licence stands at 3.7 million. 

The figure is expected to fall to 1.5 million after June 2020 when the BBC will limit free licences to people claiming pension credit – available to single pensioners on a weekly income of less than £167.25 and couples on less than £255.25. 

Age UK’s petition to save the free licences has reached nearly half a million signatures. 

The NPC said: “If we fail to protect this concession, the government will begin looking at the winter fuel allowance and the bus pass.”

The group is calling on people to turn up with banners, whistles, drums and other instruments in a bid to make their voices heard. 

This week saw the BBC attacked by its own presenters including Ben Fogle. 

In an Instagram post, the nature star said he believes the BBC is “one of the greatest institutions in the world” but he was disappointed about its latest announcement. 

He said the broadcaster should “not penalise those who most value the great BBC” and added that he would donate his salary for this year to subsidise licences for over 75s. 

Meanwhile, Mr Palin, who last week was knighted at Buckingham Palace, also spoke out against the abolition of free licences. 

The veteran actor and explorer: “I know the BBC did a pretty bad deal [on licence fee negotiations]… I just wish it wasn’t at the expense of the people who now have to fork out for their licence.”

And Mr Paxman, the former face of Newsnight, said: “Benefits are the business of government, not broadcasters. Like many of the BBC’s friends, I keep wondering how the organisation can keep shooting itself in the foot. It must look like a chunk of Emmental by now.”

A spokesman for the BBC said: “The Government decided to stop funding free licences for all over 75s, and Parliament gave the BBC the clear responsibility to decide and consult on the future policy. 

“We’ve reached the fairest decision we can so we protect the poorest older pensioners while ensuring everyone will continue to receive the best programmes and services that the BBC can provide.

“The BBC has enormous respect for the men and women who have served our country and sacrificed so much, as anyone who saw our extensive coverage of the recent commemorations for the 75th anniversary of D-Day will appreciate.”

Source: Read Full Article