KATE OSBORNE: It is outrageous that government is overseeing the scrapping of free TV licences for older people

From August 1st this year, millions of pensioners across the country will be stripped of their television licences.
Scrapping of TV licence for older people is under fire.Scrapping of TV licence for older people is under fire.
Scrapping of TV licence for older people is under fire.

Following a policy announcement by the BBC and a public consultation on the future of the over 75s TV Licence, the BBC announced last year that in June 2020, it will means-test this important benefit by linking it to Pension Credit.

However, in the months leading up to the change, it was announced that there would be a stay-of-execution to the implementation date due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This has not been further extended.

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As a result of these changes being implemented by the 1st August, around 3.7 million people over-75s who currently receive the benefit – 1.6 million of whom live completely alone – will have to pay £157.50 a year to watch their favourite programmes.

It is outrageous that the Tory Government is overseeing the scrapping of these free TV licences for millions of older people, despite a 2017 manifesto promise to protect them for the duration of that Parliament, which was due to run until 2022.

The Government blames the BBC for this, but public broadcasters should never be responsible for social policy.

It is not possible to means-test for loneliness or social isolation and unfortunately, the Government has delivered yet another welfare cut to some of the most vulnerable in our society. Millions of elderly people – 6,000 pensioners in the Jarrow constituency - have been betrayed and it is shameful.

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Free bus travel, winter fuel payments, free prescriptions for over-60s, Pension Credit, and the over-75’s free television licence were all part of an economic package brought in by the previous Labour government that helped millions of pensioners out of poverty.

Televisions are something most of us take for granted, but they are often the only company an elderly person has.

It’s a form of entertainment and relaxation after a day at work for many of us, but for elderly people across South Tyneside and beyond it’s a vital source of company.

During this pandemic, it has become increasingly clear that the television gives vulnerable, lonely people, a source of companionship.

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Not only is it a companion but watching the television can be something to look forward to, and to break up the monotony.

We know who is really to blame here and in reality the principal responsibility lies with an uncaring Conservative Government who specialise in ways of making life tougher for people.

It was the Tory government under Theresa May that transferred the responsibility of these free television licences to the BBC without any consultation whatsoever.

And now from next weekend, only those over-75s who are on Pension Credit will be able to receive a free television licence.

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What is billed as a £745 million saving is in reality a £745 million bill for our pensioners.

The Government should take back responsibility for funding the free TV licence for over-75s.

The state pension in Britain remains one of the least generous across Europe and now that the Tories have already broken their promise with pensioners on their free television licences, what is to stop Boris Johnson’s government to take this further by ending concessionary travel and ordering the elderly to pay for prescriptions?

By taking free licences away from the elderly is a callous act of cruelty.

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Older people deserve fairer treatment than this, and I will be pressing the Government to overturn this decision and to honour its commitment to protect free TV licences for the over-75s.

Note – if any residents of the Jarrow constituency would like a benefit check to see if they are eligible for Pension Credit, please do contact my office by phoning 020 388 25545 or emailing [email protected]