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BBC 'must pay for free TV licences' for over-75s

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Simon:
The chancellor is planning to announce in Wednesday's Budget the BBC will have to meet the cost of free TV licences for over-75s, BBC News understands.

George Osborne wants the BBC to have "a strong future" but told the Andrew Marr Show that the corporation should make a "contribution" towards the deficit. The move is reported to cost the BBC £650m, or one-fifth of its budget.

It is also understood the BBC and government are in talks over charging for use of the iPlayer. This could recoup some of the cost of funding free licences for over-75s. It would involve changing the law so that people who watch TV via the iPlayer and other online catch-up services would have to have a TV licence. Currently the licence fee does not cover these digital services.

A BBC spokeswoman said it (sic) would not comment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33400935

Clive:
What he really wants is for the BBC to tell pensioners to sod off because it will cost too much.  Osborne can use the money to help pay off the deficit and the BBC will get the blame for upsetting the pensioners.  The bloke is a crafty genius.   >:(

Simon:
The BBC might have been able to afford it had they not stupidly sacked Clarkson.  :o:

Clive:
But imagine the ramifications if they hadn't.  "BBC  EMPLOYS THUGS"  headlines.  :devil:

Simon:
For a week or so...   ::)

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