BBC red button teletext service saved from switch off

The BBC Red Button Teletext Service has been saved from switch off after  a petition was handed to the Director General of the BBC Lord Hall and to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month (January).

The petition, organised by the NFBUK and British Deaf Association, is backed by 175 organisations from across the UK, including Hearing Link and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

It called for an immediate pause to the closure of the BBC Red Button Teletext Service, which is a vital lifeline and service for many disabled, older and vulnerable people across the UK.

The petitioners were met at the gates of 10 Downing Street by MP Damian Collins, who took immediate action by writing to the Director General of the BBC asking for a halt to the switch off. Within 24 hours, Lord Tony Hall agreed to suspend the switch off and has agreed to meet with Damian Collins MP and campaigners on this issue.

The NFBUK are asking for people to please contact them with their further personal stories of why they rely, use and love the BBC Red Button Teletext Service, which will be submitted to the BBC and the Government.

To add your story, please contact NFBUK via voice telephone – 01924 291313, by voice or text to 07903 155858, or via email to admin@nfbuk.org or sarahgayton@yahoo.co.uk.

The NFBUK would also please encourage people to contact their MP urgently to explain how important this service is to them and that it must never be switched off.