Just what exhausted students need. A menacing letter about televisions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The relief of finally securing a place at university after an academic year plagued by exam board scandals, re-marks and downgradings will have been shortlived for thousands of A-level students.
Stuffed inside their university acceptance letter they will have found a leaflet warning them of what they can expect if they turn up at college without a television licence.
Written in the style of a jaunty safe-sex awareness campaign, the message begins by congratulating them on gaining a place at university.
But then it continues: "Last year, we caught a record 1,200 licence dodgers every day. If we come knocking on your door and find you watching TV without a licence, you could be treated to a day off lectures – in court." TV Licensing, the BBC agency responsible for administering television licences, adds: "If we prosecute, you could face a budget- shattering £1,000 fine."
At the end of an academic year which has been marred by intense uncertainty for thousands of A-level students, the licence agency shows a remarkable lack of tact by adding: "Won't you be under enough pressure at uni, without having to iron a shirt for a court appearance?" Students are reminded in the leaflet, Practise safe telly, get your licence, that if they live in halls of residence and use a television in their own room they must have an individual licence.
Students sharing a house will need a separate licence per television if they use it in their own room and they have a separate tenancy agreement.
A spokeswoman for TV Licensing said it was the first time the agency had decided to use the Ucas acceptance letter to get their message across to students. "Some of them are not aware of the law," she said.
Reports earlier this year said TV Licensing had been forced to apologise to 5,000 people after threatening them with prosecution even though they had a licence. The letter caused distress to many people, particularly the elderly, who feared they would be dragged before the courts.
The TV Licensing spokesman said 350,000 students would have received the letters. He added: "We have been working with university accommodation officers and unions to make sure our literature is available to students."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments