PENSIONERS AND DISABLED TO PAY DOUBLE FOR DIGITAL SWITCHOVER
June 21, 2007 10:44 AM
The Government is asking pensioners and disabled people to pay £40 towards the cost of the digital switchover which is to be completed by 2012, despite digital boxes being available for as little as £20.
Government figures have revealed that up to four million people will be asked to contribute a total of £160m towards the cost of switching the UK's television broadcasting to digital.
However, the Liberal Democrats have found that whilst people will be charged £40 for the digital switchover 'targeted assistance' scheme, a new digital box with more advanced features could be bought from the high street for as little as £20.
The digital boxes being offered as part of the scheme could also be hopelessly out of date in just a few years time.
Nick Harvey says: 'We were told targeted assistance for the digital switchover would be "the lowest cost option." But, like other government contracts, it looks set to be overpriced and out of date.
'Even with installation help, charging pensioners and disabled people £40 for this service isn't much of a help scheme. How can the Government call this a modest one-off fee when it would be cheaper for people to go direct to the high street stores.
'Not only are the Government using licence fee payer's money to fund digital switchover, they're now charging over the odds for help to the most vulnerable. This is frankly completely unacceptable.
'Shaun Woodward, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, responsible for broadcasting needs to explain exactly how the digital switchover is to be funded - especially with regard to the help scheme.'
Background:
• The Help Scheme is focused on providing practical assistance and support to those individuals who need it most.
• It is aimed at people aged over 75 and over, people with significant disabilities and people who are registered blind or registered partially sighted. People with significant disabilities are those who receive Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance.
• The assistance and support provided by the Scheme will include:
• providing equipment to convert one TV set
• help with installation
• follow-up support
• This provision will be free to the poorest eligible households i.e. those on Income Support, Job Seeker's Allowance or Pension Credit. Other eligible households will need to pay a one-off modest fee.
• The Scheme will be funded by the BBC through the licence fee and further details about how the Scheme will operate are currently being developed by the BBC and the Government.
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