Do you mean this news item from the BBC titled: End unfair split between NHS and council care, review says which can be read from folloiwing link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29047190 All it says is that it is suggesting changes to exmption to National Insurance payments if you work beyond state retirement age. It then says 'Winter fuel payments, free TV licences and prescription exemptions given to older people could be curbed'. It does not say anything about the blind discount. So it is from some review at the moment Neil Smith Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 15:55:57 +0100 From: capricorn8159@xxxxxxxxx To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: BBC-Licence changes? Thanks for that, obviously there are moves in that direction, . there does not appear to be any overt mention of the proposed changes in the licensing web page so am seeking clarification on the matter. if i get correspondence confirming(or denying) the proposed changes I will let the group know and most likely with publish their response verbatim. ATB Shaun On 04/09/2014 15:34, Clive.Lever@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote: Hello Sean, Affected groups, It’s currently 73. If they are considering this, I hope they won’t just present the changes as a done deal, but that they will do equality analysis to assess the impacts of the changes on affected groups, and will consult with those groups. It has correctly been said that many people go on line, not because they have money to burn, but because digital by default programmes nudge, even sometimes browbeat people into using the internet for everything. A blind person often needs both the internet and the telly. You can’t hear your screenreader while your computer is playing Doctor Who, or whatever. Best, Clive From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Shaun O'Connor Sent: 04 September 2014 14:55 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] BBC-Licence changes? Hi Folks Just to give everyone a heads up.( be advised the following is by word of mouth at present) According to rumours currently in circulation the BBC are in the process of abandoning the concessionary TV licence for blind and visually impaired people and in addition are abandoning the free licence scheme for people over the age of 75( or is it 73?) Why are they doing this? my guess is as good as yours right now but one possibility is that most people have an internet enabled device of one sort of other whether it be a computer or mobile phone. ALL these devices , under current legislation, require the owner to have a valid TV licence as part of the ownership package. The BBC have reasoned that, if you can afford one of these devices you can afford a full licence., they omit conveniently that the changes in technology are the primary cause of people migrating to these devices and in many respects have little or no choice. IF there is truth in this then this measure should be opposed vigorously, . especially taking into account the cost of living and incomes either staying static over the foreseeable future or even declining. ATB Shaun -- PRIVACY IS A BASIC RIGHT - NOT A CONCESSION -- PRIVACY IS A BASIC RIGHT - NOT A CONCESSION