{"id":121184,"date":"2023-11-10T18:38:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T18:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=121184"},"modified":"2023-11-10T18:38:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T18:38:57","slug":"tory-mp-rages-over-bbc-telly-tax-after-woman-on-benefits-fined-for-not-paying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/politics\/tory-mp-rages-over-bbc-telly-tax-after-woman-on-benefits-fined-for-not-paying\/","title":{"rendered":"Tory MP rages over BBC ‘telly tax’ after woman on benefits fined for not paying"},"content":{"rendered":"

BBC is ‘burning money’ says Defund the BBC campaigner<\/h3>\n

A Tory MP had an online meltdown after reading about the case of a woman using food banks and on benefits being dragged into court and fined for not paying the BBC Licence Free.<\/p>\n

Stoke North MP Jonathan Gullis, a strong critic of the BBC, demanded the ministers set out in the next Royal Charter for the Corporation that the licence fee – which he dubs “the telly tax” – is abolished.<\/p>\n

The intervention comes amid growing concerns about the conduct of the BBC, allegations that it fails to be impartial and criticism of the quality of its programming.<\/p>\n

Last month Conservative MPs confronted BBC Director General Tim Davie over the coverage of Israel and refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists as well as political attacks launched by some of its stars including Gary Lineker.<\/p>\n

But Mr Gullis has been enraged after reading about the case of a 55-year-old woman on benefits who needs to use food banks, hauled into court and fined \u00a3116 for failing to pay the licence fee.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Carol Vorderman mocked by Johnny Mercer’s wife with brutal ‘binned by BBC’ swipe<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Mr Gullis picked up the social media post by a journalist who noted: “Woman, 55, from High Wycombe prosecuted for not paying her TV Licence – iIn debt – Using food banks – Can’t afford heating – On benefits – Mental health issues.<\/p>\n

“Says she tried to set up a payment plan but was told ‘you can’t, it’s too late’. Convicted and ordered to pay \u00a3116.”<\/p>\n

The Tory MP blasted: “This is appalling. Why on earth the telly tax still exists, despite how we watch movies and programmes has dramatically changed, is beyond me.<\/p>\n

“The Government must set out at the next BBC Royal Charter review that we will scrap the licence fee!”<\/p>\n

The case is one of dozens of people from low income households targeted for not paying the TV licence with a high proportion of those convicted being women, often mothers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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