Tory MP rages over BBC ‘telly tax’ after woman on benefits fined for not paying
BBC is ‘burning money’ says Defund the BBC campaigner
A Tory MP had an online meltdown after reading about the case of a woman using food banks and on benefits being dragged into court and fined for not paying the BBC Licence Free.
Stoke North MP Jonathan Gullis, a strong critic of the BBC, demanded the ministers set out in the next Royal Charter for the Corporation that the licence fee – which he dubs “the telly tax” – is abolished.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns about the conduct of the BBC, allegations that it fails to be impartial and criticism of the quality of its programming.
Last month Conservative MPs confronted BBC Director General Tim Davie over the coverage of Israel and refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists as well as political attacks launched by some of its stars including Gary Lineker.
But Mr Gullis has been enraged after reading about the case of a 55-year-old woman on benefits who needs to use food banks, hauled into court and fined £116 for failing to pay the licence fee.
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Mr Gullis picked up the social media post by a journalist who noted: “Woman, 55, from High Wycombe prosecuted for not paying her TV Licence – iIn debt – Using food banks – Can’t afford heating – On benefits – Mental health issues.
“Says she tried to set up a payment plan but was told ‘you can’t, it’s too late’. Convicted and ordered to pay £116.”
The Tory MP blasted: “This is appalling. Why on earth the telly tax still exists, despite how we watch movies and programmes has dramatically changed, is beyond me.
“The Government must set out at the next BBC Royal Charter review that we will scrap the licence fee!”
The case is one of dozens of people from low income households targeted for not paying the TV licence with a high proportion of those convicted being women, often mothers.
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The BBC struck a deal with former Chancellor George Osborne during the last review not to decriminalise the licence fee so they could continue to harrass people in the courts who failed to pay.
But questions have been asked why people still ned to pay a licence fee when many prefer to go to online providers like Amazon and Netflix.
Moral issues have also been raised in the past about why the poorest should be forced to pay celebrities like Gary Lineker on six and seven figure salaries.
In her evidence the woman said: “I haven’t meant to let my payments slip. I moved to a smaller house after being ill along with other issues, money being part of the things just got to where I’m living on food bank help.
“I can’t afford the electricity heaters in my house, I’ve got electricity debt for the first time in my life so I paid what I could. I’m sorry and I will pay, I did set up a payment but said you can’t because it was too late.”
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