Television Licences: Over 75s

Debate between Lord Ashton of Hyde and Lord Dubs

Monday 21st January 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

Would that that were so. I agree with the thrust of the noble Baroness’s question—the BBC has a duty to take seriously how much it pays senior managers and stars—but the cost of the over-75s’ concession is about £750 million, and I am afraid that even reducing all salaries to zero would not achieve that.

[Lord Dubs (Lab)]

My Lords, is it not true that the BBC was pretty well bounced into this? It was a decision made by the Treasury and not even DCMS knew about it until the BBC was forced to comply.

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

If that was the case, why did the director-general say:

“The government’s decision here to put the cost of the over-75s on us has been more than matched by the deal coming back for the BBC”?