RESIDENTS of Bolton have voiced mixed opinions on news that the BBC Licence fee could be scrapped.

The next announcement about the BBC licence fee “will be the last”, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has said, amid reports it will be frozen for the next two years.

The annual payment, which normally changes on April 1 each year, is expected to be kept at the current rate of £159 until April 2024.

Ms Dorries indicated she wanted to find a new funding model for the BBC after the current licence fee fund deal expires in 2027.

Some have said they would not like to see it removed, while others think the change cannot come soon enough.

Natalie Wilder, 41, from Bolton, came out in support of the licence and said: “I love the BBC, I use iPlayer a lot, more so than watching actual telly.

“I wouldn’t like to see it change, I’d like to see it continue to thrive because I love listening to the BBC radio and everything connected to it, I think it would be a shame because it is part and parcel of the British public really.”

Owen Darnby, 77, said: “At one time we didn’t have to pay it again, so yes for me I think it should be scrapped.”

When asked if he thought the BBC should be funded through advertising, he said: “I think [adverts] is the only way they’re going to get revenue, quite honestly, it’s not going to be a licence fee it’s going to be commercial, I think that’s inevitable.

“The other independent broadcasters seem to survive on it so I don’t see why the BBC can’t do the same. I think they just need to come into the 21st century.”

Stuart, 51, from Halliwell agreed, saying: “I think [the BBC] should go to advertising like the rest of them, it works for everyone else.

“I think they should scrap [the licence fee] sooner, especially for pensioners. They’re not getting much income as it is.”

Karina, 28, from Great Lever said that if the fee were scrapped, “it’s less money to fork out with every other bill.”

TV licences have been criticised for being too expensive for the elderly, with Ian, 59, from Farnworth saying: “Personally, I don’t think it’s fair on pensioners.”

On whether it should be removed, he said: “Most definitely. I don’t even watch the BBC, it doesn’t entertain me at all.”