Ian Botham goes in to bat for free TV licences for over-75s – The Yorkshire Post says

IAN BOtham was the Boy’s Own cricketer renowned for hitting his opponents for six.
Former cricketer Ian Botham is now a Conservative peer.Former cricketer Ian Botham is now a Conservative peer.
Former cricketer Ian Botham is now a Conservative peer.

Now, as the newly-enobled Lord Botham of Ravensworth, he has another target in his sights – the BBC – as he begins his latest innings.

His belief that the Corporation should be doing more to offer a more balanced representation of rural issues had already left Tom Davie, the director-general, on a sticky wicket before his call for free TV licences for the over-75s to be reinstated.

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And, by making this issue a personal priority in his unlikely career as a legislator, Lord Botham can be assured of widespread support.

This was Ian Botham batting during the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley when he hit a career-defining 149 not out against Australia.This was Ian Botham batting during the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley when he hit a career-defining 149 not out against Australia.
This was Ian Botham batting during the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley when he hit a career-defining 149 not out against Australia.

The television is a lifeline to the elderly, even more so during a Covid lockdown, and both the BBC and the Government should be fulfilling past promises on free licences.

It’s surely possible to put a system in place that permits this while allowing the better off to make a contribution if they can – or find the BBC’s output worthy of reward because it better reflects the interests of senior citizens.

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