Wrong again

It's odd that the question of free tv licences for the over 75s surfaces in Biarritz, but unsurprising that our Prime Minister gets his facts wrong.

“The BBC received a settlement that was conditional upon their paying for TV licences for the over-75s. They should cough up.”  Mmmm.

Try this from John Whittingdale, Culture Secretary at the time of the Charter deal, speaking in a Commons debate in May this year: "The agreement with the BBC was that it would have responsibility for maintaining or amending the licence fee concession".  The facts are that both Osborne and Whittingdale promised the Government wouldn't make a fuss if the BBC had to narrow the concession. Even the May administration knew that. The 2017 manifesto promised to keep free licences til 2022, but a private message to the BBC acknowledged that commitment had been made in error, and the BBC still had to make the call in 2020. 

More dangerous for the BBC this morning is the position of Caroline Abrahams from Age UK, suggesting, with what looks common sense, a BBC/Government compromise. The BBC will be the loser if we go down that route, as will political honesty.