Responding to the announcement that the BBC will scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, Liberal Democrat DCMS Spokesperson Jane Bonham-Carter said:

“Concessions for over-75s are a social cost which should not be paid for by the licence fee, but from central Government funding. Government, not the BBC, should be responsible and accountable for their social policies.  
 
“If the Conservative Government does not want to pay for free licences for over 75s then they should be upfront about their policy.
 
“However, passing the buck onto the BBC is underhand and risks undermining the BBC’s financial viability to provide what the licence fee payer expects.”

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