How to pay for your TV licence if you are over 75

One of the proposals in the White Paper on the BBC was that there should be an easier way for those over 75 to pay their BBC licence fee, even though they are entitled to have the BBC free. Amongst all the things that I objected to in the White Paper (you can get a full version here), this seemed sensible. Opt-in benefits usually discriminate against those they are intended to help. But opt-out should be easy, even if it amounts to no more than a note with a bank account number saying how you can pay this money back if you would rather not receive it (phrasing has to be careful. otherwise the virtuus poor pay back, while rich don't notice).

Currently it is a major struggle not to receive your free licence fee, even if you try to avoid it.

Someone I know well, who is over 75, got in touch with the licencing department, in an attempt to begin paying for his licence again. It is a he, and he simply wrote on the online contact form: "I am 77. I would like to restart paying my license".  This is what he received in reply. I have removed the names.

"Dear xxxxxxxx

Thank you for contacting us. It is currently the policy of TV Licensing to always provide the free licence when we are aware that the licence holder is over 75 years of age. Therefore, we are unable to process your request to pay. I hope this has been of help and explained the situation.

Yours sincerely xxxxxxxxxxx

TV Licensing

Can I get this in a more accessible format? Yes. If you have sight problems, you can get this information by email or in Braille, large print or audio by calling 0300 790 6076. Also, a textphone facility for the deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired is available on 0300 790 6050."

Now I think that this was not at all "of help" and did not begin to "explain the situation".

Maybe he should have persevered. But if we could make this procedure simple and possible, we might make just a bit of difference to the cash-strapped BBC.