I ACCEPT the facts behind the withdrawal of the free TV licence for the over-75s, but certain questions regarding BBC policies should be asked.

Firstly, the price of the TV licence has skyrocketed over the past 30 years from £10 to £154 currently, yet coverage of live sport - cricket, football and horse racing, is now virtually nil.

Secondly, the BBC moved to a lavish new HQ costing many millions of licence payers' money, when surely the old BBC Television Centre could have been refurbished at a much lower cost to the public?

Thirdly, the BBC founders vowed to inform, educate and entertain the population, yet dumbing down in documentaries coupled with mind-numbing rubbish like Strictly Come Dancing must have Lord Reith spinning in his grave.

Alan Keating by email