I KNEW it would not be long before your almost permanent correspondent Robert Redman would have a letter published regarding TV licences for the over-75s (July 13).

Some time ago, a reader described Mr Redman’s letters as “entertaining”. I’m afraid I would describe them as infuriating.

The trouble with Mr Redman’s letter is that, in blaming the BBC for the payment, he has shot the wrong fox.

The fault lies squarely with the Tory/Liberal coalition government in 2015 that used strong arm tactics to force the BBC to accept a deal behind closed doors.

The former chair of the BBC Trust was quoted as saying at the time, “This is the second time that the government has forced a deal on the BBC”. The first time being the forcing of the BBC to fund the World Service which hitherto had been funded by the Foreign Office.

Mr Redman suggests that some performers at the BBC are paid too much and is the cause for the licence to be levied to the over-75s. This is an observation designed to obfuscate the real reason.

It is well known that our Prime Minister Bumbling Boris and his puppet master Cummings are no friends of the BBC. So it comes as no surprise that Johnson berates the management of the BBC for their action when he knows what the real reason is.

I will not be surprised if the next move against universal benefits will be winter fuel payment and bus passes.

BILL BEUDEN,

Ashmore Crescent, Hamworthy