Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold further discussions with the BBC to ensure that free TV licences are provided to all people over the age of 75; and if he will make a statement.

I made a statement to the House on 11 June 2019, and spoke on the matter at Oral Questions on 04 July 2019.

The Government has expressed its disappointment with the BBC’s decision for taking the most narrowly focused review option. Since the BBC took its decision, I have met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC and I have asked them to do more to help the most vulnerable groups affected by the decision.