"If you can't get digital, you shouldn't be charged a licence fee" - Farron

3.00.00pm GMT Tue 15th Jan 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has today called on the Government to ensure that those who are unable to receive the full spectrum of digital channels after the 'digital switchover' do not pay the full licence fee, and those who cannot receive a digital signal at all should get a full refund. In Whitehaven, the first area to switchover entirely residents have in some cases been unable to receive all of the channels.

The analogue signal is due to be switched off entirely in 2010, from which point everyone will require a digital 'freeview' box, which in theory enables full access to all digital channels. However, not everyone will be able to receive the signal.

Tim Farron said:

"I'm all for progress and digital TV is obviously a magnificent development. However it is utter madness that those who can't receive the channels should have to pay a full licence fee.

"I have written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to press the Government on ensuring that those people get a full refund."