TV licensing...

[Mick F]

Not had our August letter yet.
They've been arriving towards the end of each month.

Waiting for Number 7.

[Mick F]

This month's envelope has had a facelift.
They now have a fake second class stamp and "Urgent Attention" stamped on the front (a smaller Welsh version on the rear). Nothing to make it apparent on the outside that it is from the TVLA.
Some psychologist must have pointed out that junk mail will have greater impact if you can be made to open it before throwing it in the bin.

Number 7 has just arrived!

I stress that it's seven letters since I stopped replying to their letters.
Seven months.

Ours is like Meic has described.
Just opening it now ...........

This letter is less threatening than the others. Strange.
Just a statement that we know and they know that there's no TVL at this address.

Still not signed by a real person, still not dated properly, and still no a real letter.
Ostensibly signed by this illusive Phil Carvill.

"Ignore this letter and an Officer will visit soon"
Why is "an officer" with a capital letter O?
It's an indefinite article, ie it should be "The Officer".

I think Phil Carvill is too big for his boots.

[Mick F]

My mistake!
This one is number 8.

Two in January, then one each in March, April, May, June, July and August = eight.

[Mick F]

Just a thought regarding vacant addresses.

There's a house near here that's been empty for quite some years. The owners have moved, and the house is still there and they've put in for planning permission to have it pulled down for the plot to be developed. They have moved well away from the area.

Putting the address into Royal Mail Address Finder, it's still registered as a valid address.

I wonder if this mysterious Phil Carvill is pulling his hair out trying to get them to make a statement about no TVL?

[Mick F]

I hear that the government are going to "review" the over 75's free TVL
I fear that's another nail in the coffin for the BBC.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/0 ... -over-75s/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc- ... -twf9vllxt

[meic]

Hardly, this could be a major windfall for them.

With the thread running somewhere about reception problems I did another check on the digital TV website and there is still no digital signal available here.

[Mick F]

I think that the over 75s are going to be mighty upset if they have a free TVL and then they have to start paying again.

Just think of the scenario.
Two octogenarians fit, bright, savvy and healthy living in their own house get a TVL bill for the first time in ten years or more.
Say they refuse to pay and do as we have done and not reply to the letters.
Say the man eventually comes round and they are charged and up in court.
Say they get fined £1,000 each and both get a criminal record.

Just imagine the publicity

[Cyril Haearn]

They refuse to pay and go to prison

[Mick F]

.............. and have free TV provided at taxpayers' expense.

[[XAP]Bob]

.............. and have free TV provided at taxpayers' expense.

And meals.

[RickH]

Hardly, this could be a major windfall for them.

With the thread running somewhere about reception problems I did another check on the digital TV website and there is still no digital signal available here.

Assuming that you want to watch TV, there's always the option of Freesat - no subscription, just a dish & a compatible box/TV - & let's you watch programmes only shown in other parts of the UK (such as "The Adventure Show" on BBC Scotland, although you can get it on iPlayer too).

We switched to Freesat as, despite living less than 2 miles from the main transmitter on Winter Hill, Winter Hill itself gets in the way & we have a lousy signal.

[al_yrpal]

Theres a few options for the BBC…

80 is the new 75

Voluntary payments

Means test

Multigenerational households with free licences should pay if someone is under 75

Save money by cutting all the crappy quiz programmes they pump out and the over the top coverage of expensive sporting events that a minority are interested in.

I have a free licence on the basis that although I can well afford to pay it, taxing my pensions to the level they do I claim back every penny I can.

Al

[Cyril Haearn]

Revoking the free licence would be very unpopular, with younger people too

Would any politician be so stupid?

[Mick F]

Theres a few options for the BBC…
80 is the new 75

I think this is the easiest option.
Just increase the age ............... like they've done with the OAP.
......................... but don't raise this subject with Mrs Mick F. She should have had her OAP at 60, but she has to wait until she's 66.

[sjs]

Save money by cutting all the crappy quiz programmes they pump out and the over the top coverage of expensive sporting events that a minority are interested in.

Al

Do they still cover expensive sporting events?