THE BBC’S new director-general has defended the broadcaster’s cancellation of free TV licences for over-75s, stating he has no plans to reverse the policy.
Last month the universal right for those aged over 75 to access the BBC without paying for the licence was revoked – now only those who receive pension credit will be exempt from the charge.
The move sparked a furious backlash with Age UK slamming the decision, and MPs urging the corporation to reconsider.
Tim Davie’s defence of the move comes just days after BBC Scotland said it would no longer air the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 briefings every day, and would instead select which ones to broadcast based on their “editorial merit”.
READ MORE: Charity calls for BBC to screen coronavirus briefings or risk excluding elderly
Charity Age Scotland was one of many organisations to speak out against the decision, warning the updates have been a “hugely valuable source of information and advice for older people in recent months”. They called on the BBC and the Scottish Government to work together to ensure “timely information is available as comprehensively as possible”.
The charity added: “This makes absolutely clear how important TV and radio is to older people and demonstrates why removing the free TV licence for all over-75s during the coronavirus pandemic has been an ill-timed folly.”
Davie, who became director-general at the start of the month, stood by the corporation’s decision to axe free TV licences for those in the age group.
As the BBC published its annual report detailing the highest paid earners there, he said: "I was part of the board that made the decision, which was driven by a balance of trying to ensure that we protected the value people get from the BBC - because frankly, taking £700 million out would have disastrous consequences in terms of the provision that we were giving to people - but also trying to get a fair solution, and that is why we've gone for what we see as a properly balanced proposal.
"I have no plans to reverse that decision and support where we are at the moment."
Match of the Day host Gary Linekar was the top earner on £1.75 million for the 12 months to March, though he has agreed to a pay cut of 23%.
Tory MP Julian Knight, who chairs the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, called the salaries paid by the BBC to its top stars “concerning”.
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