LETTER: Why should prisoners get free TV licence?
This Express & Star reader wants to tackle the TV licence conundrum.
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As these are likely to be withdrawn in 11 months, surely the whole charging system needs reviewing.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
