![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/Licence-fee-BBC-targeting-elderly-because-they-know-they-will-be-afraid-pensioner-1557369.jpg?r=1643381894674\")
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Nadine-Dorries-Made-licence-fee-announcement-3885581.jpg?r=1643381894786\")
<\/p>\n
Grandmother Ivy Siegfried, from Greenock, Scotland, laid bare her thoughts on the matter in a throwback interview on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ in 2020.<\/p>\n
She said: “The BBC are targeting the elderly because they know they will be afraid.<\/p>\n
“Many pensioners will feel threatened by the prospect of someone coming to their door for money and the BBC know they will pay.”<\/p>\n
She added: “I’m not frightened. I’m not afraid to go to court or prison if I have to<\/p>\n
“I have quite a number of friends who feel the same, they are with me on this.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/TV-Licence-fee-to-be-frozen-for-two-years-3885582.jpg?r=1643381894924\")
<\/p>\n
“If I go to prison, I will get three meals a day and free TV in there anyway!”<\/p>\n
Due to the pressures of the Covid pandemic, the BBC did temporarily shelve its plans to make pensioners pay.<\/p>\n
The right to a free TV licence for over-75s ended in August 2020, but in February of last year the Corporation announced a transition period to allow people in that age category more time to pay.<\/p>\n
However, the transition period ended in July last year, meaning the over-75s are no longer exempt from paying, apart from in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n
Last week, Ms Dorries claimed the elderly would no longer be threatened with payment notices and that those struggling to pay would be boosted by the Government’s plans.<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS: She reiterated her message as she gave a statement on the BBC’s funding settlement in the House of Commons.<\/p>\n She said: “The global cost of living is rising and this Government is committed to supporting families as much as possible during these difficult times.<\/p>\n “Given that climate, we had to think very carefully about imposing a potential increase on the TV licence, particularly given that any increase would expose families to the potential threat of bailiffs knocking on their door or criminal prosecution.”<\/p>\n However, the Silver Voices campaign group has hit out at the announced funding freeze, claiming that over-75s who already cannot afford it will still not be protected from demands for payment.<\/p>\n Dennis Reed, the group’s director, said: “Freezing the licence fee for two years, that’s pretty incidental as far as we’re concerned because a lot of people can’t afford £159.<\/p>\n “There’s really not much in there to cheer about.”<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Huge border row erupts as First Minister declares end EU checks NOW [LATEST]
<\/strong>Rishi Sunak’s fatal flaw that could be ‘downfall’ as Tories jostle for leadership [INSIGHT]
<\/strong>Boris Johnson was ‘ambushed’ with cake by Allegra Stratton before bizarre party defence [ANALYSIS]<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/BBC-Licence-fee-main-source-of-funding-3885585.jpg?r=1643381894989\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/BBC-Corporation-s-highest-paid-stars-3885587.jpg?r=1643381895042\")
<\/p>\n