Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Adams and Eddie Hughes

Thursday 13th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Eddie Hughes (Walsall North) (Con)]

12. What his policy is on BBC licence fee penalties and payments.

[The Minister for Sport, Media and Creative Industries (Nigel Adams)]

The Government have committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11-year charter period. We want to help vulnerable people who may struggle to pay for their TV licence, which is why we have announced the simple payment plan, which will come into effect on 1 April. On penalties for evasion, we believe it is right to look again at whether the criminal sanction remains appropriate, given ongoing concerns about whether it is unfair and disproportionate.

[Eddie Hughes]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Does he agree that the BBC should stop focusing on criminalising customers who cannot pay for the licence and focus instead on its agreement to provide free TV licences for over-75s?

[Nigel Adams]

I agree with my hon. Friend. As we made clear in our manifesto, we recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s. They should be funded by the BBC, and we remain disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the over-75 licence fee concession only to those in receipt of pension credit.