Searching for a fair solution to paying for the BBC’s output

BILL Carmichael’s column (Yorkshire Post, March 23) highlighted significant problems with TV Licensing, but didn’t touch on the ideal solution.

If 3,000 people a week are being prosecuted – probably the tip of an iceberg – it is clear that the legislation simply isn’t respected by the public.

In his next budget, the Chancellor should abolish TV Licensing altogether, setting the level of personal tax allowance to generate the sum payable to the BBC.

This would save the exorbitant costs of collecting the licence fees. It would also remove the need to employ an army of snoopers, would dramatically reduce the time and expense of the prosecution and court systems, and would no longer result in significant numbers of people acquiring a criminal record for a minor civil offence.

As an additional benefit, low earners would no longer have to find the licence fee. If HMG really intends to simply the tax system, this would be an easy step which would make very significant savings.

From: Eric Lee, Lower Hagg, Thongsbridge, West Yorkshire.

BILL Carmichael becomes more irrational in his repeated attacks on the BBC.

Despite some excesses, the BBC provides excellent value for money i.e. £145.50 for international and local news and entertainment, 24 hours a day, 365 day a year (with some concessions). Sky and pay-for-view rates are considerably higher. The Yorkshire Post is a good regional paper, and the cost Monday to Friday is £156.00 per year.

Despite Bill Carmichael’s claims of unfairness I have no doubt which option “the public”, of all political persuasions, he refers to, would consider offers the best value at present.

The future arrangements for the funding of the BBC will undoubtedly change (daily newspapers will probably need to change even more urgently if they are to survive).

However if we fail to cherish the importance of the BBC, the outcome, far from being the “good news” Bill Carmichael predicts, will undoubtedly be higher charges and less independent broadcasting.