Scrapping free TV licences ‘could push NI pensioners into poverty’
HUNDREDS of over-75s in Northern Ireland could be pushed below the poverty line if their free TV licences are scrapped, a charity has warned.
They would not be able to afford the licence, or they would have to cut back on essentials such as heating and food to pay for it, Age NI said.
Currently, households with people aged over 75 are entitled to a free TV licence.
But the Government-funded scheme, which is expected to cost £745m by 2021/22, comes to an end in 2020 and it will be for the BBC to decide whether to continue it.
The cost of the licence is set to increase on April 1 from £150.50 to £154.50 a year.
Yesterday Prime Minister Theresa May pressed the BBC to fund free TV licences for over-75s amid calls for the Government to retake control of the scheme.
Age UK found over 40% of people aged 75 and over in the UK — equivalent to over two million people — would not be able to afford a TV licence or would have to cut back to pay for it.
In Northern Ireland, having to pay the fee would push 520 old- er people below the poverty line, Age NI said.
Eithne Gilligan, head of policy and engagement at the charity, added: “Removing or limiting the concession would have a major impact on the lives of some of our oldest citizens.
“It’s an outrage that even one older person should risk falling into poverty, let alone the most vulnerable who are living with some combination of low income, disability and loneliness.
“The Government created this problem and it is in their power to solve it.
“We urge them to stop hiding behind the BBC and accept responsibility for free TV licences for the over-75s.”
Age NI previously called on the Government to urgently take back responsibility for the fundels
ing and administration of the free TV licences policy.
It said that over-75s were more likely than younger people to live alone.
This, combined with high lev- of ill health and disability, can make them isolated and dependent on TV for companionship and news, the charity said.
A survey by Age NI heard evidence of how important TV was to older people.
It found more than a third (37%) of people aged 75 and over agreed that TV was their main form of company.
Older people spoke of the importance of TV to their wellbeing and described it as a lifeline.
Yesterday, Mrs May said taxpayers wanted to see the BBC use its “substantial” licence fee income in an “appropriate way” to deliver fully for audiences.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP Rosie Cooper said: “Despite her party’s manifesto promise, nearly 7,000 pensioner households in my West Lancashire constituency could lose their free TV licences — often that’s their only source of company.
“Is the Government going to keep their manifesto promise by taking back the responsibility they’ve outsourced to the BBC to ensure that older people keep their TV licences?”
Mrs May replied: “I recognise the value that people across the country place on having a television and for many elderly people the connection that brings with the world — and that’s why the free licences for the over-75s are so important.
“We want and expect the BBC to continue free licences when they take over responsibility for the concession in 2020.
“I think taxpayers rightly want to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers fully for UK audiences.”
The BBC said: “Free TV licences for people over 75 are expected to cost £745m a year by 2021/22, and government funding for the scheme ends in June 2020.
“We’re conscious that pensioner poverty is still an issue for some older people. We set out a range of options in our consultation — each with merits and consequences, and implications for the future of the BBC and for everyone, including older people.
“We invited a range of views to help the BBC make the best and fairest decision and the consultation is now closed.
“We will carefully consider all the responses, and the BBC expects to make a decision by June this year.”