Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a briefing report on the BBC’s recent decision to stop funding free TV licences for all over 75s from June, 2020.  The report provided information on why the decision was made, the reasons for criticism and how the changes were likely to affect Sheffield.

7.2

Present for this item were Steve Chu (Age UK), Irene Day (Sheffield 50+) and Chris Walker (Citizens Advice Sheffield).

7.3

Steve Chu stated that there was a national campaign asking the Government to take back responsibility for funding the free TV licences to those eligible.  It was felt that the BBC had been put in a difficult position by the Government forcing them to take this decision, and at present the petition started by Age UK has 608,000 signatures, and Age UK were hoping to reach a target of 650,000.  Mr. Chu said that 49% of those over 65 relied on television for a host of reasons including companionship and keeping in touch with world events.  He was urging the City Council to follow the lead taken by Leeds City Council to issue a statement supporting the petition.

7.4

Irene Day referred to two friends of hers, one of whom had recently passed away.  She commented that one of her friends she had no family of her own and her television was a lifeline for her.  She added that her other friend had worked all her life, paid her taxes and, following illness had become depressed, but relied on her TV so much.  Mrs. Day said that social isolation was a hidden threat to many people and highlighted the risk of vulnerable people being taken to Court for non-payment of a TV licence.

7.5

Chris Walker gave another dimension to the matter.  He stated that due to the design of the system, those people over the age of 75 who claim pension credit will continue to get a free licence.  However, there are many people who are entitled to claim Pension Credit but don’t for one reason or another, and many aren’t aware that they are entitled to receive it.  Mr. Walker said that if everyone claimed, the Government would potentially spend a lot more than they would save from not funding the TV licences.

7.6

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which  responses were provided as follows:-

·                     Social isolation tends to get worse after the age of 65.  Due to modern living, families don’t always live in the same city, or even the same country anymore.

·                     There was a lot of bureaucracy around means testing and making sure that people were aware of what they were entitled to claim for. For some people, they felt there was a stigma around claiming benefits and for others, they simply don’t know how to. Following the introduction of Universal Credit, as with all welfare changes, there are always winners and losers.

·                     Citizens Advice and Age UK highlighted the difficulties involved with promoting benefit uptake.  The most vulnerable people sometimes weren’t able to open simple letters and read what they say.  Also, there was an expectation that people use the internet to access information and complete application forms, but a lot of those who can’t afford to buy a licence also don’t own a computer or have use of the internet. One to one support and outreach are the most effective ways of helping people to access benefits, however they are resource intensive. Age UK was already operating a waiting list for its support services.

·                     Members of the Committee felt that it was important to consider how the Council can use its resources to promote Pension Credit uptake, for example through Housing+, strategic housing forum, links with social housing providers and through Ward Councillors working in communities.

·                     Members of the Committee felt that there was a role for the BBC in promoting Pension Credit as part of the changes to free licence eligibility.

7.7

RESOLVED: That this Committee:-

(a)       notes the information reported and thanks those attending for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       agrees to take up the campaign to raise public awareness regarding this matter and write to the BBC asking if there are plans, when withdrawing the TV licence, to advise people of the different options available to them;

(c)        recommends to Cabinet Members that consideration is given to how the Council can raise awareness of the changes to free TV licence eligibility and promote Pension Credit uptake through using Council staff who work on the front line; working with our partners and other service providers in the City, e.g. social housing providers; encouraging Councillors to work with their contacts in communities, for example Community Groups, TARAs etc.;

(d)       asks Age UK and Citizens Advice Sheffield to consider what materials could be used as part of the effort to raise awareness of the changes and promote Pension Credit uptake; and

(e)       requests that the Chair of the Committee writes to the BBC urging them to promote Pension Credit uptake as they transition to the new system.