TV Licence article Discussion

zaffre

Some time ago I joined an online petition. Its closed now but please have a quick read.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/FairpayTV/


Read the Government’s response

During the latest review of the BBC’s Royal Charter (completed in 2006), the Government considered whether the television licence was still the best way to fund the Corporation. We also sought the views of members of the public on this and other BBC issues as part of the Charter Review consultations. When compared with the alternatives, the television licence fee was widely considered to be the best way to pay for the BBC for the period of the new Charter that is to say until 2016. None of the alternative funding options would enable the BBC to continue to provide its full range of public services while safeguarding the Corporation’s independence. It was therefore agreed that no changes would be made.
We intend to review the scope for alternative funding mechanisms once we have the conclusions of Ofcom’s review of public service broadcasting (due to be completed in 2009).
This will take in account the final costs of switchover and the outcome of the wider review of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) funding to which the Government committed in the Charter Review White Paper.
Further information about Charter Review and the Green Paper and White Paper consultations are available on the Charter Review website at www.bbccharterreview.org.uk.


They just keep making it up as they go along!

richard-fletcher_2

hi im colour blind and when i was young i got told i wouldnt need to pay for a colour tv license is this true and if so can i get it back dated

Nile

richard-fletcher wrote: »

hi im colour blind and when i was young i got told i wouldnt need to pay for a colour tv license is this true and if so can i get it back dated

Hello richard-fletcher

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

I think you've been misinformed. Have a look at the website below for more information:

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/aboutus/legislation.jsp

The quote below is taken from the website:

6. Blind concession refunds
A refund of up to half the licence fee (depending on whether the licence is a full fee or instalment licence) can be given if a licence holder has a blind certificate issued by a local authority or ophthalmologist, but failed to claim the reduction for the blind concession when his/her current licence was bought

To qualify for the blind concession, the customer must supply a photocopy of one of the following pieces of evidence:

1. A certificate or other document issued by or on behalf of a local authority in Great Britain showing that the applicant is blind or severely sight impaired, or
2. A certificate or other document issued by or on behalf of the DHSS in the Isle of Man showing that the applicant is blind or severely sight impaired, or
3. A certificate issued by a Health and Social Services Trust in Northern Ireland showing that the applicant is blind or severely sight impaired, or
4. A certificate issued and signed by an ophthalmologist (CVI or BD8) (1990) showing that the applicant is blind or severely sight impaired.

Regards

Nile

KT1985

I am so fed up of the threatening letters that I have been receivng at the house we are renovating- the latest is saying that they will come and interview us under caution... ???
Makes me want to do away with a telly and just watch what I want on Player instead- it makes me really angry that they can send correspondence like this when I have contacted them 3 times explaining what is going on. If I sent them letters like I get from them then I would get done for harrassment. Rant over.

maoleoin

We were renovating a house too that was unoccupied for nearly a year and got the same letters, so sent them the letter below, got a very polite reply and never heard from them again until the license transferred back to house was up for renewal.



Dear Sir/Madam

In reference to your letter dated XXXXXX, reference XXXXXXXXXX

Despite having informed TV Licensing previously that this property is undergoing renovation and currently unoccupied we are still receiving threatening letters. I reiterate that there is no TV equipment currently at the property, we have no need of a TV licence for the property, and are not breaking the law. We are offended to be receiving continual threatening letters from your company and the slanderous implication that we are TV licence evaders.


This is not the first instance of issues we have had with your organization resulting in unnecessary threatening communication and enforcement visits. For the record we have always maintained a current TV licence when legally obliged to do so, and a valid TV licence will be in place once TV equipment is restored at the property.

Your enforcement officers or any other employee or agent will not call at this address. This letter denotes prior written and legal warning that any such visit will constitute trespass and harassment. Normally there is an assumed right of entry to the front door of a property. However this is now denied to your employees and agents in perpetuity, any such act will henceforth constitute trespass and harassment since prior warning has been given. Any access to the property by any employee or agent of TV Licensing will now require a warrant.

You have now been informed that any visit by TV Licensing employees or agents will constitute trespass and harassment, and any threatening letter to any member of the household will now constitute harassment. We will actively seek recourse against TV Licensing and the appropriate TV Licensing employees or agents should either of these occur in future. You may reply to this letter to acknowledge that you have noted and understood its contents.

For your information a copy of this letter and any response received with my comments will be forwarded to the BBC Trust TV Licence Fee Collection Review. May I remind you that according to your service standards I should receive a response within eight working days.

Yours,

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KT1985

Thanks- thats a great letter

I will sort that out today- can't bear the thought of them turning up tbh.

moonrakerz

KT1985 wrote: »

I am so fed up of the threatening letters that I have been receivng at the house we are renovating- the latest is saying that they will come and interview us under caution... ???

Write to your MP - I did and that got rid of them !

shinjukumaster

Did anyone hear the Radio4 discussion on the TV licence this pm at 5.30-ish?

It seems the BBC have one month to sort out out they handle this.

The BBC bigwigs seemed oblivious to viewers comments/complaints.

I've not had a TV in 20 years, and just had the officious licence goons at the door this week again. Does anyone have the inclination to get together to file for harassment?

Here's an interesting link (for the DIY'ers):

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/televisioncloakingdevice/index.php

tomstickland

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article6010943.ece
"
Licence fee loophole needs to be closed with law change"

"Current rules mean that people who only watch online repeats via the BBC iPlayer are not liable for the levy — amid signs that some people are already taking advantage to watch BBC programmes for free."

shinjukumaster

tomstickland wrote: »

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article6010943.ece
"
Licence fee loophole needs to be closed with law change"

"Current rules mean that people who only watch online repeats via the BBC iPlayer are not liable for the levy — amid signs that some people are already taking advantage to watch BBC programmes for free."

Yes, that was an own-goal by the overpaid, overrated, luvvies