"Targeting Most Vulnerable!" BBC Spends £169 Million Chasing TV Licence Fee Dodgers

Joanna Marchong from the TaxPayers' Alliance reacts to the BBC spending £169 million chasing TV licence fee dodgers.
The sustainability of the BBC TV licence fee will be a “big part” of charter renewal talks, a culture minister has said, as MPs questioned its long-term future.
BBC director-general Tim Davie has previously said he is open to a “more progressive” licence fee, with a consultation expected to be launched next year for the public to have their say.
Joanna says: “It’s the most vulnerable being targeted!”
#xlbully #dogs #mikegraham #talktv
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[@colynnburrell]

Get it right. The BBC is a waste of money.

[@adamwynyard4065]

So don’t pay the license fee , no one is forcing you to watch the bbc

[@timg1246]

​@@adamwynyard4065I don't pay. But that does not stop the BBC sending me appallingly threatening letters. Then, if you phone to complain about the threatening letters, they refuse to register it as a complaint.

[@adamwynyard4065]

Any idea why they would be chasing you ? I have never had an issue including donkeys years ago as a student. If they won’t register a complaint go straight to the ombudsman

[@ashab1]

I refuse to be intimidated by them, look at the propaganda they spout with their woke weirdo employees it’s disgusting.

[@genigeni9335]

The bbc is bias and corrupt.

[@andyxox4168]

The irony is you get free TV in jail!

[@sillyshazzie]

Point!

[@libelle8124]

And free rent, food, gym membership, etc.

[@geraldinebricis2129]

Of course. Crime pays these days

[@timg1246]

Actually, prisoners do have to pay a contribution towards the licence.

[@susie5668]

No one is going to jail 😅 just keep your door shut never talk to them they are no one 😂😂😂😂

[@tech10k14]

Do NOT speak to the goons. Just say 'No thanks!' and shut the door. They have NO power to enter your home. The only way they can prosecute you is if YOU provide them with the evidence by opening your mouth!

[@SMGAPR8]

Marston's, BBC Bully Boy Agency

[@Chris-xv2gm]

👍That's all you have to do. Simple as that.

[@MrChriss000]

19 years since I paid.

[@williamlowther7051]

Sorry I don't answer to cold callers, thanks, good bye, I've saved over £3000, keep those reminder letters coming though cost me zero

[@MrChriss000]

@@williamlowther7051 Keep the letters and donate them to the local Budgie club. If you want to laugh, I watched all the 'Peaky Blinders' legit without a 'TV LICENCE' by following THEIR rules. (it went repetitive story but never mind- worth maybe 1.5 quid)

[@GeoffreyJohns]

The purpose of the license fee is to provide high-paid jobs to a large number of Oxbridge arts graduates.

[@lulabellegnostic8402]

Correction. Oxbridge DEI hire arts graduates.

[@lastlast2078]

We don't HAVE to pay like this presenter suggests. If you watch live TV or iPlayer you should pay, if not - don't bother. Cancel direct debit and ignore every spam letter sent to you.

[@AutoAlligator]

£5.7 billion each year is the figure the BBC take in revenue from the UK tax payer.

[@tonyandjanetparker3204]

Thats what we do.

[@stephenholmes1036]

Well said , Its a subscription service not compulsory! I only have dvds and videos i don't pay because its NOT A TAX! Its also a time robber

[@alanbradley9621]

@@stephenholmes1036 I do agree. Once I found myself constantly flicking between channels I knew I had to go do something useful. No TV No More.

[@andyxox4168]

I don’t pay for a TV licence, I don’t need one … 😀

[@SMGAPR8]

I Hate TV , prefer to keep my head in the real world,

[@Cornz38]

me neither, i torrent everything...

[@kippertrace5808]

I'm not a dodger and feel angry at being labelled as one!! I dont watch tv! If they add the fee onto council tax... it won't affect me either, I never signed up to council tax. Cancelled direct debit and told them prove me wrong they don't fund killing women and kids in wars and ill pay.😊 still had no correspondence in 15months

[@J2897Tutorials]

Send them to my house... The more time they spend knocking on my door, the less time they spend scamming vulnerable old ladies.

[@AutoAlligator]

£5.7 billion each year. Incredible but true. The BBC make that money not from ads or subscriptions but by law in the UK. No other country in the world does this for piss poor "entertainment".

[@rbir2653]

Why are you lemons still paying the tv licence fee. If you just watch netflix or KZbin you dont need to pay. Cancel your tv licence today. Defund the bbc. No one is dodging the licence fee. You don't need to pay.

[@bobc5678]

And if you subscribe to ITV X you can legally watch BBC programs that ITV have bought.

[@areyouserious3092]

If you Own a TV you must have a license. It's the law.

[@rbir2653]

@@areyouserious3092 that is the lie bbc want you to believe. You only have to pay if you watch live tv or iplayer or you record live tv. Cancel today.

[@ep1929]

​@@areyouserious3092 licence only required for live viewing and iPlayer - everything else on catch up / on demand doesn't require a licence - THAT'S THE LAW. Please get your facts right before posting untruths.

[@areyouserious3092]

@ep1929 Rubbish, that's why it's called the TV licence . If you have a TV in your house, you must have a license even if it's broken and you've cut the cord off.

[@KendalMike]

I've not paid for a TV licence for over a decade. I own a TV but I use it legally without a licence. TV Licensing keep sending me letters but I ignore them. I advise people not to engage with them. There's no legal obligation to do so.

[@peacefulpath222]

You don’t get any letters if you report online that you don’t need one. When it comes up for review they send an email & you just report the same for another year 😊

[@timg1246]

​@@peacefulpath222NEVER let the BBC know your email address. Appalling organisation. Spam is already a big enough problem.

[@lastlast2078]

@@peacefulpath222 You've paid with your personal details to stop the letters. Now they have your name attached to your address and all they require is evidence to take you to court. Watch out for snoopers.

[@carllockpick6179]

​@@peacefulpath222 not true, I informed them, over the phone, and still keep getting letters, every couple of weeks. That was 4 years ago.

[@xdoubt5487]

​@@peacefulpath222Yep amazes me people don't understand how to request an application form to fill out and avoid getting letters They also have no clue that the BBC already have access to public data with names and addresses across the UK. They also think that these letters are tailored to them when in reality it's an automated copy paste system

[@deja-view1017]

Years ago, when my kids were young, we had literally just moved into our new house and I set up the TV so that they could stay out of my way while I was trying to unpack the kitchen boxes to make them some food. A TV licence van turned up, so I explained that we'd just moved in and showed them the licence from my previous place, saying I'd update it in the morning. They took me to court anyway! I arrived at court (8mths pregnant by the way) and found that all the people who were waiting had been 'caught' in exactly the same way (I can only assume they were chasing removal vans or something). The magistrates dismissed my, and every other, case saying they considered the prosecutions malicious and a waste of the court's time. I haven't had a TV now for 15yrs.

[@gherkamum]

£169 Million Wow......BBC needs to go.

[@mda5003]

£169 million is a mere drop in the ocean considering those paying the licence fee contribute £3.5 BILLION.

[@Stubborn18]

The politicians should be ashamed of the TV licence. Good people get prosecuted and even go to prison at taxpayer expense all for the BBC. It's not worth the damage it's doing to some people's lives. The politicians should be ashamed for allowing this theft to continue.

[@xdoubt5487]

Well actually that's only half true. You can't go to prison for not paying a license fee. You can if you don't pay the court fees 💀 If the person being prosecuted (for not paying court fees) they are costing the tax payers money 😂

[@davidclay1678]

Royal Mail's biggest customer is the bbc

[@nsean479]

Yep i get 2 letters a month which get filed in the bin 🤣🤣

[@afreeman1980]

​@nsean479 I'm only getting 1 a month and they go on the log burner.

[@mda5003]

Their contract is with Whistl not Royal Mail although Whistl may well hand the mail to Royal Mail for final delivery.

[@peacefulpath222]

You don’t get any letters if you follow the rules & report online that you don’t need one 😊

[@mda5003]

@@peacefulpath222 Yes, but why should you have to they don't send you a stamp addressed envelope and what about those that don't have a computer?

[@hogyndrwg6253]

£169,000,000 on letters? FFS!

[@bobc5678]

I'm saving my letters up so that I can post them back unpaid.

[@user-yq3nu5hd6n]

Now i know why royal mail still in Bussnes BBC paying Every one does e mail 😂😂 No wonder uk sinking like the titanic England waste trillions and trillions taxes We are all brain washed No wonder everyone leaving UK in millions

[@paul-t-geist4245]

My dad is 94,has dementia and lived in a nursing home for 3 years and he still gets threatening letters sent to his home address even though I've phoned the number on the letter several times explaining the situation. Totally ridiculous.

[@andyxox4168]

My mother has been getting such letters for 10 years and she’s been dead for longer than that!

[@peacefulpath222]

Have you tried reporting it online?

[@twig3288]

Take a leaf from the lrish TraveIIer’s handbook, don’t pay the BBC Licence and in the unlikely event of a visit from the TVLA sales rep just say “no thanks” and close the door. Do not engage in conversation, don’t lecture them about Jlmmy Savile and don’t remove their implied right of access, just say “no thanks” and close the door. Simples

[@geneticallymodifiedorange]

I always mention Jimmy Saville to them 🤣🤣🤣

[@Thespian-wp6xq]

Cancelled mine last January. It felt wonderful, and I really don't miss anything the mainstream are supplying.

[@stumac869]

You don't go to jail for not paying the tv tax. You go to jail for not paying the fine awarded by the courts for watching live broadcast tv without paying the tax.

[@stephendarlison8140]

never payed a penny never will

[@djmattblack]

If you go abroad and use the BBC website they have adverts on it, also BBC news abroad has adverts so them saying they can't get money from advertising is a myth

[@JohnJackson-mn4ts]

They also make a tonne of money selling shows to other countries. Shows they made using license payers cash.

[@paulsmith982]

I bought a TV when I was in Australia. I asked about a license. The guy behind the counter just laughed at me.

[@mitchmitchell7470]

Not had one for 15 years perfectly legally

[@sillyshazzie]

Pay nothing and SAY NOTHING, if they come to your door do not engage simply close the door. Been over 10 yrs since I paid mine, I quit paying when I stopped watching. I still get the letters but I don't stress myself straight in the bin unopened. ❤

[@davidwoodford6894]

Why are we forced to pay to watch TV. If they put decent programs on. Then people would buy one it's the only station that can take you to court and possibly give you a criminal record. I blame the government. For allowing this to happen

[@xdoubt5487]

You aren't forced. it's completely optional.

[@Gunaholic]

Don't watch TV or live TV LICENCE free for 12years

[@MacStoker]

using peoples money to hassle people .. who even watches TV now, never mind the BBC?

[@kdog3908]

To be fair to the BBC, it's probably cheaper to shake down the public than it is to spend money on something worth watching.

[@ukpaullouis2708]

I get the letters all the time as I canceled my licence years ago. I have no legal need for one and I told them years ago that I do not need a licence. None of that matters I get monthly letters threatening all kinda of consequences in their attempt to extort £ out of me for a service I do not use. Is this harassment? Yes absolutely it is but to cope, I use the letters to light my wood burner and keep my house warm. Stop paying your licence and supporting this massive waste of tax payers £.

[@JohnJackson-mn4ts]

I’m sure there was a gentleman who started billing Capita for the time spent dealing with their correspondence. I don’t know if he ever got a response.

[@WAMPHYRIinvader]

The irony is that all the imports that the BBC love so so so much that now over populate the big cities they will never pay for a TV license

[@MariTeabag-lf1ly]

I switched opted to ITVX to stop having programmes interrupted by adverts, this cost me £59 a year. So I now get a huge range of programmes. The BBC Licence is £169.50 a year for very little choice of programming. Very expensive.

[@user-xq6me6pd7q]

I agree entirely the BBC is a total waste of money. Look at the very latest waste with Dr Who. Screwed to oblivion and yet the continue the justification of the bloody license. I used to work for them and at no point have I ever felt that it was a justified cost. Utter rubbish!

[@timg1246]

The BBC is starting to feel like the final days of Rome. They must know their days are numbered. The current state of Doctor Who is the result of that. Who cares, just tick the box on any and all messages.

[@timg1246]

What the government should do is tell the BBC that they will never, ever, get a rise in the licence fee. If the BBC wants more money, they should increase their commercial revenue. That would force the BBC to actually produce programmes people want, rather than pumping THE MESSAGE at us.

[@carllockpick6179]

BBc, is backed, by the government.

[@user-yq3nu5hd6n]

I havent had a BBC licence since 1993 Peaceful ❤❤ Out of date like the council tax Unbelievable still here 21 century No wonder uk sinking like the titanic

[@waynekerrr9027]

I just watch netflix , you tube, and catchup, and dont need a licence...170 quid a year saving 👍

[@colinmcnally5931]

They spend £169 million and how much do they get back in return?

[@hogyndrwg6253]

Just opprobrium and ridicule.

[@richardmurphy4520]

Let the royal racketeers who inaugarated the ROYAL CHARTER LICENSE to broadcast back in 1936 pay the f***ing license fees themselves.

[@nsean479]

You don't need a TV if you don't watch or record live TV and use the BBC's iplayer.

[@andyxox4168]

You don’t need one if you don’t open the door to their goons either!

[@bobc5678]

Nearly 1 million license fees to enforce more license fees. The other channels make their own money through advertising. The BBC owns britbox, dave, UK TV gold whch are funded by ads or subscription but the BBC continues tax people. I don't watch live TV so i don't have a license, i haven't watched it for over 3 years and don't miss it.

[@ianbennett1491]

Why should we the public pay to keep a company in business.?

[@sidsod1616]

169 million chasing, harassing and demanding monies with menaces from people who don't want or need a licence and is required by law.

[@melaniemckenzie9282]

I do not have a TV. And I have a letter that says so...renewed every three years...

[@jslowburneruk]

we shouldn't have to review it, Netflix, Prime etc don't chase us when we cancel

[@BobAt101]

I don't have a TV license , don't have a TV and don't watch any live broadcasts and don't watch anything on bbc iplayer or any bbc program anywhere, there is no way i would help fund the BBC

[@lulabellegnostic8402]

I’ve just returned from a break in spain with friends who live there. ALL the british expats ( and most other expats as well) watch ‘live’ british tv via freeview boxes and satellite dish. So how is it fair to make someone with a british postcode pay a tv tax whilst the rest of the world watch ‘live’ for free? Ironically, my friends pay a subscription to watch the ‘gold’ channel which is scrambled, but the bbc isn’t.

[@Lee.Willcox]

I have opened their threatening letters and film my reaction like a lot of people do. I just take the piss and bin it. They won't catch us watching TV we can't stand the crap. I got rid of the aerial when we moved in, no dish and no desire to watch TV lol.They can come round and peer through our windows and I'll put them on KZbin. I wish they would but it's not going to happen, we have cameras and they will see them.

[@iantobanter9546]

Come on Kev, we don't have to pay it- check out Chilli Jon Carne and save a packet. Don't watch live TV, BBC or iPlayer, you don't need a licence. By the way we don't want it stuck on our council tax either.

[@hellonearth9347]

The guy is wrong you dont have to pay! Am 14years free. Wouldnt give them a penny for their pathetic excuse for a tv channel

[@Pendragon1122]

I’ve been receiving the same letter for over ten years now. They still don’t know my name, legal occupier

[@ianbennett1491]

If you are watching live TV you need a licence. How can they charge you for watching another companies content that has nothing to do with the BBC.

[@colinatkins271]

I haven't paid the license fee for 3 years, don't watch BBC, use iPlayer or watch live TV.. The BBC should show adverts and go commercial

[@ffviifakeremake9997]

Has anyone ever gone to prison for not paying it?

[@henrybull9586]

Extortion is what I call it

[@paulm2339]

This proves the BBC is getting. Too much money

[@angelamary9493]

Cancel your TV licence ..many have ..defund the BBC ..

[@OllyO-gt8pg]

its to cover the court costs for their stars.

[@mda5003]

Lineker needs the money as I don't think Walkers Crisps use him for their ads anymore.

[@MakeWhatYouCan]

Iv'e never owned a TV, I've never paid a TV licence and I never will.

[@catch22again]

A political party would probably get a lot of votes if they said they would stop the TV license.

[@cindyfaulkner5725]

The total bill for senior BBC staff is estimated at £72.400,000 £27,825,000 was spent on severance packages, with 124 staff receiving “golden goodbyes” Then you have the £168.000,000 for them to chase those that haven't paid their tv licence That's without all the expenses, taxi fares, rents, services (water, electric, etc) stationery, food, hotels, phones, insurance and anyother over heads. All this before they even put anything on the tv, which a great deal of the programs are repeats, so they cost nothing. Then you have the News that never tells the truth only their version of the truth where Hamas are tooth fairies. The BBC is passed it's sell by date and needs to become a subscription channel

[@simonthegreat543]

I’m not a dodger! I do not watch or record live tv nor do I watch bbc I player. I also will not pay for this vile organisation. Show advertising or subscription service or both. Cancel the tax.

[@jasonhawkins6186]

Jan '23 we received a letter claiming that we didn't have a TV Licence. We sent them back an email showing a photo of our up to date licence. Never received an apology for their mistake.

[@johngaskell1384]

They have pinched money should be took to court for fraud

[@neilfoster814]

So, analogy. A guy lends his mate £10. A month later when his mate fails to pay it back, the guy pays two bullies £20 each to go "have a word" with the mate to try and scare him into paying the £10 he owed. That's the long and short of it, the BBC wants your 200 quid, but is prepared to spend tens of thousands of quids to get it.

[@pstanyer1]

Kevin O'Sullivan's first words were 'We all have to pay the tv licence' How does this guy have a job as a reporter. You do not have to pay it no one if forcing you.

[@afreeman1980]

I don't watch TV so I don't buy a TV licence. The BBC are pestering me, I couldn’t care less how much they spend doing it, infact the more the better. I wouldn't watch TV if they paid me £170 a day like I wouldn't go into london if they paid me £12.50 an hour. We adapt to survive.

[@Ralphs-House]

I'm 65 and I've nothing against the BBC but I'm not interested in live TV on ANY channel (prefer to watch my own DVDs or read). In fact I've not watched television for 35 years! The letters continue. My son aged 20 summed it up when I asked him if he'd be interested in TV - "Nah, people my age don't watch it". He's right. Times have changed. Golden age of the BBC has long since gone but it continues to hang on to what it once had.

[@farmer_donny]

I stopped watching mainstream TV 5 years ago Maybe more, and ever since then I've received threats that they're going to come round and visit me and fine me. Good luck trying that on because I don't watch TV.

[@zebmason6530]

The other week I got a reminder for my no licence needed declaration. I filled in the answers but didn't submit as I was ill and they were obviously trying to trick you into checking the wrong box. I imagine I'll be receiving their vile letters - a few years ago I was working away and had rented accommodation and would go home at the weekends to watch TV.

[@davidhoward1235]

What does ITV get out of the TV licence???!😮

[@stevegee8010]

No one has ever been sent to prison for not paying the TV licence. Get your facts straight. Non payment of a fine can be imprisonable, but that's a separate offence altogether.

[@DavidSmith-mo3dk]

If you don't watch live TV programmes you don't need a licence. Simple.

[@user-xq6me6pd7q]

I say this all the time but the idea of digital TV was to allow content to be encrypted such that you used a decryption card in the CI slot in your TV that you had to pay for. Fail to pay and your viewing stopped. If they are stupid enough not to use this method then that is their problem. We do not need any sort of other method of BBC funding. If they don't encrypt then that is their problem not ours and as such if they don't like it shut the bloody thing down. I could save them billions every year.

[@antmar6552]

My dad got a letter from licensing saying they showed up to his house about why he hadn’t renewed but no one was in. Then I got another knock at his door the following visit I was in. told them to come in and talk to my dad. Few minutes later the guy asks for my dad. Told him he’s dead. Make your way out, don’t bother sending anymore letters.

[@alanknight8439]

Abolish the TV licence go to a subscription service, then I couldn't give a fuck what they spend their money on.

[@glideman]

It’s not a tv licence, you can watch tv without a licence as long as you don’t watch bbc or iplayer or live tv. I’ve not had a licence for 20 years

[@tonyandjanetparker3204]

We cancelled our licence. As long as you don't watch any bbc channels bbc iplayer, and not watch live tv shows and don't record. You don't need one. Watch chilli jon carne and black belt barrister they will explain mire.

[@rebopdeluxe9463]

We haven’t paid for years, don’t watch any live tv. We send the letters back and ignore the slime that knocks the door.

[@KendalMike]

That girl needs to stop wearing earrings like that when using Air Pods. I wondered what the rattling noise was at first then worked it out.

[@redorblue8124]

i dont pay tv licence so what

[@denise4487]

🤣 wont be chasing me im not in

[@gazman2626]

I'm so glad they are spending a large amount of money to chase me for not needing what they are selling 🤣😂

[@Cornz38]

They get 3.5 billion, 169 million is chump change.

[@francisorielly9698]

He forgot to say those who don't need to pay. Don't watch BBC or any 'live.' Though why the BBC have a monopoly on every 'live' transmission, I don't know!?

[@stephenholmes1036]

I haven't had a license for 31 years, I don't need 1. I suggest the lady speaking consider the many people who dont use computers. Its NOT a tax its a subscription i don't subscribe as i only have DVDs and videos. TVs are a time theif

[@suer1945]

IF I worked a job where no one cared my job standards cos we all get paid anyway because of tv liscence, then why would I even try, this is the point

[@davidadams5116]

They haven't chased me and i haven't had a licence for over 2yrs. I don't need one as i dont watch any live TV or BBC

[@ianbennett1491]

How do they get away with it.?

[@Polysixchick]

they chase people who don't need them as well!

[@louiserichards6252]

When will the people paying the BBC licence realise that they are getting screwed over twice . The BBC takes your licence fee and make the programs all the dramas , soaps, children's programs ,gardening . They then sell this content world wide and make billions . Do you get a reduction for having paid for the making of such programmes? . It should go to a subscription only policy .

[@acidreflux2182]

Surely the outlay of £169million is more than is recovered

[@stephen6whitehead398]

bbc:i ain’t paying £169 for your crap!Stop sending me 3 letters a a week!They just go into the recycling!!If you want to send the goon’s around,bring it on!!!

[@opo154]

Is it true! they may do away with the TV licence, and put the cost of the BBC on everybody's council tax??????

[@theoccupier1652]

The BBC can send me a threatening letter Every Single Day ... I don't care ... let them Spend Spend Spend

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Couldn’t they have spent 169 million making better programs?

[@geraldinebricis2129]

That's what narcissists do!

[@phillowen5147]

I must have had over 500 letters over the years...any other company would have been banned from this harassment years ago!!!... They're as bad as Baby Reindeer..🤣😂

[@Theforestbandit]

WHO ARE THE BBC . AND WHATS THIS LICENCE FEE. I HAVENT PAID IT IN OVER 30 YEARS AND NEVER RECIEVED ONE LETTER FROM THEM . I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE PAY FOR SOMETHING NOT WORTH WATCHING. IF MORE DIDNT PAY THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE UP ADVERTISING TO SURVIVE.

[@kevinlast7051]

The reason why they don’t want to stop the to licensing,is because they would go bankrupt within a year or so.

[@casualobserver5466]

Don’t pay it.. 6 years free😅

[@arlrb76]

Brilliant. And the mugs still pay

[@colinreece3452]

I don't have a TV, I told them that then got a letter to say to expect a visit so they can check, so are they saying I am telling lies? Plus I keep saying this but it says you need a licence to watch ITV and Sky, so why are they approachong the BBC for their share of the licence fee. Also am I now classed as a dodger coz I don't pay for a licence that I don't need? How much does it cost as well to send out the enforcement officers to pay you a visit? I don't drive a car but I don't get the DVLA harrassing me to get a drving licence and sending ppl to make sure I don't have a car.

[@beverlyhenderson188]

I haven't watched BBC for years but I pay to keep these horrible.people from my door (,blackmailers)