Ok more on this and unfortunately same site (popped up on my phone)
Copy/Pasted (not sure if you can see the same as myself).
TV enforcers tell over-75s to leave home amid coronavirus to keep free BBC licence
Covid-19 threatens UK pensioners who have been urged outside by TV Licensing letters if they want to keep their BBC benefits
TV enforcers are telling pensioners to venture outside during the coronavirus pandemic in order to keep their free BBC over 75’s licence.
Up to 3.7 million elderly viewers vulnerable to the virus will lose free licences when they are facing a “frightening battle” and potentially months of confinement at home.
There are also fears over BBC contractors visiting self-isolating elderly people at their supposed “safe haven” of home in order to arrange fee payments.
Around 900,000 households on pension credit can keep the license concession, but have been advised to visit “corner shops and post offices” during the pandemic in order to keep the BBC benefit.
Pensioners have been told by BBC funding enforcers TV Licensing to photocopy and return letters to prove eligibility for free licences, requiring technology they are unlikely to have at home.
Concerns have been raised about Capita teams contracted by the BBC visiting non-eligible over-75’s to set up licence fee payment arrangements.
Elderly people are vulnerable to the virus which has claimed 35 lives in the UK, and it is expected Government will tell over-70’s to avoid contagion by remaining indoors for up to four months.
This long confinement could be made all the more isolating with the imminent loss of free access to vital news and the comforting company of television.
Age UK has called on the BBC to suspend scrapping the free TV licence during a time of crisis, particularly for vulnerable older people.
A statement from the cahrity said: “They face a big and frightening battle, the least we can do as a society is to relieve them of the anxiety of a new TV licence scheme and the threat it poses to their ability to keep watching TV while they are fighting it.”
It continued: “It is profoundly wrong to allow anything to get in the way of an over-75 year old continuing to be able to watch TV over this period.
“Over-70s with lung problems, or impaired immune systems, should consider reducing their social contact and avoid mixing in large crowds, with home the safe haven.
“We are now in the position where if over-75s are on pension credit they are being advised to go out and about locally.
“Teams of staff employed by Capita are being contracted by the BBC to go to older people’s homes in order to help them organise how they will pay.”
Last year the BBC announced a cost-cutting decision to make the over-75’s licence means-tested, and available only to those on pension credit.
The controversial plan was criticised by politicians and the public over concerns it would increase the social isolation of the elderly.
Age UK fears that amid potentially mandated isolation the impact on older people will be even greater, and a television link to the outside world and public health news even more vital.
The charity has demanded that: “the BBC’s replacement scheme for the over-75s is halted immediately and stopped until the end of 2020, with the current universal entitlement staying in place until then”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday that lengthy confinement for the elderly would be announced “in the coming weeks”.
TV Licensing letters sent to the over-75’s are understood to have been drafted before his statement and delivered this week.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...ll-over-75s-leave-home-amid-coronavirus-keep/
