Express & Star

LETTER: Why should prisoners get free TV licence?

This Express & Star reader wants to tackle the TV licence conundrum.

Published
Should prisoners still be able to watch TV?

An interesting thought comes to mind regarding free TV licences for the over-75s.

As these are likely to be withdrawn in 11 months, surely the whole charging system needs reviewing.

One area could be HM Prisons where I believe each cell has its own television.

Why should the taxpayer fund this? If an individual wants a TV in their cell, they should be expected to pay for a licence.

For general purposes the prisons could have one or more TV rooms (no charge) and only available on the basis of a reward for good behaviour.

Any other ideas for TV licence charges or otherwise?

State pensioners usually receive 2.5 or three per cent pay rises per year.

It averages about £2.75 to £3 – enough for a bag of chips with scraps. So, in 2020, the pay rise will just about pay for a TV licence for the over-75s.

An MP getting a three per cent rise on £80,000 per annum could buy 15.5 TV licences – it amounts to £2,400.

As the Government is the architect behind the over-75s paying for a TV licence to save the Treasury £746 million, I wonder which part of society will benefit from this windfall.

Alan Davis

Darlaston