Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Thursday 31st January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

It was decided, after much deliberation, that half a million pounds was a sum of money that would be a disincentive to the majority of individuals. I accept that there may be exceptions to that, but they are relatively few and far between.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

2. If he will make it his policy to maintain free TV licences for people over the age of 75 after the end of the current scheme in 2020.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

6. If he will make it his policy to maintain the provision of free TV licences for people aged 75 and over after the current scheme expires in 2020.

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Jeremy Wright)]

Many older people across the country value television as a way to stay connected with the world. That is why we have guaranteed the over-75s concession until June 2020, at which point the responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC. After that, it is for the BBC to decide on the future of the concession, but we have made it clear that we would want and expect it to continue with it.

[Gavin Newlands]

This obligation would cost the BBC three quarters of a billion pounds, rising to £1 billion by the end of the decade. That equates to one fifth of the BBC budget, more than its entire radio budget and equivalent to its entire spend on drama, entertainment, comedy and sport programming. Scottish sport and minority sports need more coverage, not less. Are Age UK and BECTU—the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union—not correct? This is an age-related benefit and as such it should remain the responsibility of this Government.

[Jeremy Wright]

Of course, as the hon. Gentleman will know, the discussions with the BBC about the transfer of this responsibility took place in 2015, at which point the BBC agreed to take on this responsibility. He will know that the licence fee income continues to increase for the BBC and he will know that this House passed legislation in 2017 to effect the transfer, so the BBC has understood throughout what the level of commitment would be and it has agreed to undertake it.