Surely it is not beyond the wit of mankind to find a way of giving free TV licences to elderly pensioners on low incomes while not giving them away free to people like my parents who can easily afford them. Or, crazy idea, how about not taxing people to own a sodding telly?
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That's why universal benefits are better. yes a few rich folk like your parents and indeed me get benefits they don't need. But that is a price worth paying to make sure all those who do need them get them. Means-testing is an old bright idea that never works.
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Er, I know... Always a trade off between what is saved by having means testing Vs paying universal benefits. But with so many 75+ now, this needs a new solution. What worries me is the 80yr olds living on very low incomes who aren’t claiming pension credits. How to resolve that?
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Means testing is an expensive way of examining eligibility Will we be asked to provide our financial details to the BBC? - that would be outrageous. Or will Govt do it, which means expense which increases licence cost - ridiculous Who's going to hep the older person do it?
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So beyond saying surely the wit of man could solve it, trust me, the wit of man and woman has devoted a lot of time to trying. There is no answer. Means-testing doesn't work. And as people younger than me and you say, end of.
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Beyond the wit of man? Surely the income tax level a person pays is a reliable measure-i.e. none or basic should be a fair level, or is below £24k income too much
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They prove it because they don't have an aerial or satellite dish. If they only have internet then they're in the clear I understand.
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No that is not true. Watching or recording live TV on a PC or ipad requires a licence see http://bit.ly/2Zi1318 . But no-one has to prove they are not watching it. TVL has to prove they are or get them to admit to it.
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You're right of course, but I'm thinking you have plausible deniability if you have no aerial? If you have an aerial, you're going to have to be very persuasive to convince the man on the Clapham omnibus that you don't watch live telly.
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Of course take up of means-tested benefits like pension credit is always bad. But what is the better way the wit of man will devise without poor to demonstrate it? One way tried with Child Benefit is to say not for those who pay higher rate tax. But savings would be tiny here.
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Free licences to prudent Moneybox listeners only.
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Such a disgrace that on a day low income pensioners are stripped of free TV licences Boris Johnson announces tax cuts for the top 8%. Typical Tories. For the few not the many
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You don't need to prove you don't watch or record tv as it's being broadcast, the onus is on Capita to prove you do.
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That's down to them to prove. Not u. I've not had a visit in 5 years and just bin the letters. They're welcome any time to come and see for themselves
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It's time the outdated and unpopular tax was scrapped.
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You can't legislate for stupid. If they don't claim the benefits they're entitled to they can't be that skint!
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Then the government can ensure they make every effort to claim.But if they can be bothered to claim a free licence they will be up to claiming a tax credit.Pensioners have no more in common with each other than any other group.
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They have to apply for a free TV licence currently not just exempt from having one. Promote claiming the benefits people are entitled to.
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I think all pensioners should get it as long as their parents countersign the form
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