New Report Calls for Free TV Licences for Over 75s To Be Restored
Age Scotland have agreed with the conclusions of a new report from the House of Commons DCMS Committee that the free TV licence for all over 75s should be restored.
In its report on the BBC’s Annual Report, MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee criticise the then government for seeking to ‘bounce’ the BBC into accepting a deal that exposed it to funding free TV licences for all those over 75 beyond 2020.
Brian Sloan, Age Scotland chief executive said:
“We absolutely agree with the recommendations in this report and that the UK Government should never have off offloaded responsibility free TV licence entitlement onto the BBC. It is clear that they both must now get together and work out a solution that ensures this important entitlement continues for all over 75s.
“Our polling shows that nearly 90% of the Scottish public agree and they don’t want the Conservative UK Government to renege on its manifesto promise to older people and continue to fund this important entitlement.
“More than half of over 75s say that their TV or a pet is their main form of company, helping them stay connected and improving their quality of life. This is particularly true for those who live alone or have mobility issues.
“Over the last few months it has become crystal clear that the BBC’s flawed plan to means-test these licences for over-75s from June 2020 will result in significant numbers being forced to choose between buying a licence, cutting back on essentials like heating and eating, or continuing to watching the TV without a licence
“Forty per cent of Scottish older people who are eligible for Pension Credit do not claim it and will now face yet another annual bill that they can’t afford. We know that this is causing a huge amount of distress and anxiety among our poorest pensioners.
“The Age UK petition, supported by Age Scotland, to save the free TV licence for over 75s received more than 600,000 signatures and is in the hands of the Prime Minister. This campaign is far from settled we will keep making the case to those in power that they must reverse this decision.”
