Anger as BBC told it can hike licence fee with inflation

CAMPAIGNERS reacted with anger after the Government announced the BBC licence fee is to increase in line with inflation each year until 2027 rising in April to £174.50.

- Hannah Roberts

It will go up by £5, or an extra 42p a month, after the last £10.50 hike brought the charge to £169.50.

Campaigners for elderly people condemned the increase.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, said: "Older people who are struggling with the loss of their winter fuel payment will receive this news like a hole in the head.

"It's yet another pressure on reducing their ability to cope with energy and food costs.

Scrutiny

"It won't be welcomed at all and it nails the lie of the Government that the triple lock increase next April is going to be sufficient to compensate for the loss of the winter fuel payment, because here's yet another rise which erodes the very meagre state pensions people get."