MARK Wright complains that the BBC will now foot the bill for pensioners to get free TV licences and worries about the age at which the free TV licence is available and that at some point in the future the issuing of free TV licences will be means tested.

All benefits should be means tested, those genuinely in need should be supported by all of us who are capable of working and paying taxes and hence we who provide the money are assured that only the genuine are being supported.

If a person is financially comfortable and has made provision for their future and can afford to pay for things such as a TV licence, they why should they get one for free?

I appreciate it may seem unfair for someone to work all their lives, save and then be expected to support themselves, but on the flip side, that's why we need to have a robust means tested process to ensure those receiving benefits are truly deserving of the support of the tax payer.

Basis the above this is a fair system, where those that can afford to pay, pay and those that genuinely can't get it provided.

It's about balance in both directions.

Andrew Davidson

Bury