13-12-2023, 02:56 AM
Well obviously if that occurred legislation would be amended to remove any “requirements” and everyone would then pay it; the BBC would become a quasi-state service although still be independent from government.
Most people, since they pay anyway, wouldn’t care so the small number of objectors would, in the end, probably be ignored.
This kind of thing happens all the time. People living in flats or new estates often have to pay a maintenance charge for common areas such as playgrounds which are part of the site; regardless if they use them, they pay.
Also, I was suggesting a system beyond pure means-testing whereby if you 1) couldn’t afford a licence, you wouldn’t pay and also 2) if you didn’t require a licence, this fact could be registered and you wouldn’t pay. A bit like how you can register for single person discount on your council tax and, if eligible, the council record this and calculate what you should pay accordingly.
“Not requiring” could be any criteria, the same as now or, possibly, different.
At the end of the day, this is a discussion about funding the BBC - not maintaining the status quo which, demonstrably, doesn’t work. If it is decided that everyone should pay (except the means-tested qualifying on low income for a reprieve) then people who don’t pay now wouldn’t get some kind of veto. They would just have to pay and that would be it.
Most people, since they pay anyway, wouldn’t care so the small number of objectors would, in the end, probably be ignored.
(13-12-2023, 02:41 AM)Stuart Wrote: It's like charging someone for a 'residential parking permit' for their street when they don't have a car. They can't.
This kind of thing happens all the time. People living in flats or new estates often have to pay a maintenance charge for common areas such as playgrounds which are part of the site; regardless if they use them, they pay.
Also, I was suggesting a system beyond pure means-testing whereby if you 1) couldn’t afford a licence, you wouldn’t pay and also 2) if you didn’t require a licence, this fact could be registered and you wouldn’t pay. A bit like how you can register for single person discount on your council tax and, if eligible, the council record this and calculate what you should pay accordingly.
“Not requiring” could be any criteria, the same as now or, possibly, different.
At the end of the day, this is a discussion about funding the BBC - not maintaining the status quo which, demonstrably, doesn’t work. If it is decided that everyone should pay (except the means-tested qualifying on low income for a reprieve) then people who don’t pay now wouldn’t get some kind of veto. They would just have to pay and that would be it.