So the BBC can't save money to cover this, well lets see:
Firstly they can get rid of the Parliamentary Channel, then do the same to the News Channel & replace it with World News 24, which in my view is a vastly better channel. That should go some way to filling the gap.

It's heart-rending stuff and as I wipe away a tear I'm moved to volunteer to pay my licence instead of accepting the freebie. But then I remember how John Birt did me out of a job (at 52)  (and, thus, a higher pension than I now receive) and I don't feel so bad.  If I have to buy a licence again in the future I shan't complain about that but I will continue to complain about the dumbing down policy that makes me turn away from a BBC that corporately thinks old people are a drag.