They must keep their vow to OAPs

TODAY in Parliament Labour will be asking the Government to honour its 2017 manifesto commitment to keep TV licences free for over-75s.

For millions of older people, free TV is a lifeline. They are far more likely to suffer social isolation and loneliness, with four in 10 saying that TV is their main source of company.

A new study shows that there are 400,000 over-75s who can go a whole week without meeting anyone or talking to friends and family on the phone. Just 13% of older people say they don’t feel lonely. The Government now says it’s up to the BBC to fund free licences. But that would cost a fifth of its entire budget. They would have to scrap free licences or make huge cuts. The Tories made the manifesto commitment, so they should provide the funding.

Labour’s introduction of free licences in 2000 helped reduce pensioner poverty. Now it is on the rise again and scrapping free TV licences will make it worse. Age UK says hundreds of thousands of OAPs can’t afford the £154.50 cost and they would have to cut back on essentials like food and heating to pay for it.

A manifesto promise is the most basic and important of political pledges and the other Opposition parties agree with Labour on this.

If the Tories break their promise it would be a betrayal and a terrible cruelty to millions.

Today we’re offering them a chance to stand by their word, or to break it.

I hope they make the right decision.