IN light of the BBC’s decision not to honour its commitment to continue the funding of free TV-licences for senior citizens, it’s time for us to exercise some ‘senior power’ and flatly refuse to pay the fee.

From August 1 this year, 3.7million of us who have heretofore benefited from the free TV licence scheme will have to pay for the privilege of watching TV.

The combined salaries of the BBC’s three ‘biggest earners’, Lineker, Evans and Norton (although I dispute that they earn it) would pay for the TV licences of 24,000 of us.

The BBC pleads poverty as its excuse for doing away with the free TV-Licence scheme - but, that poverty is a direct result of the corporation’s profligacy with taxpayers’ money over decades.

The BBC’s charter is not due for review until 2027. However if the BBC can get away with reneging on its agreement to fund free TV licences, perhaps the government should consider revoking the corporation’s charter now - and make it earn its income in the same way that other broadcasters do.

Imagine the outcry if the government were to stop subsidising restaurants and bars at the Palace of Westminster.

Television is not a luxury - it is a vital necessity to the elderly, and MPs on all sides should be putting pressure on the government to bring the BBC to heel and reverse its shameful policy of targeting the most vulnerable.

ROBERT READMAN

Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth