The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166266 Message #3996009
Posted By: Steve Shaw
11-Jun-19 - 03:15 PM
Thread Name: BS: Disgraceful BBC
Subject: RE: BS: Disgraceful BBC
We have one the worst levels of old age pensions in Europe. The free TV licence and free bus pass was a small compensation. The winter fuel allowance was to make up for the 5% VAT levied on fuel. The free licence for elderly people, brought in by Gordon Brown, was funded by the government until a few years ago when the Tories told the Beeb that they'd have to finance it themselves. The BBC can't provide a decent level of service if they do that as it would represent a cut of one-fifth of its budget. The Beeb's hand has been forced in a way that makes IT look like the culprit. Make no bones about it. Clear your head, Bonzo. This is a Tory cut and a cruel Tory blow to elderly people. If you have some kind of ideological beef with the BBC, well that a different matter which you should take outside.