TV licence dodgers
Tories in debate boycott as MPs back OAPs’ perk
SHAMEFUL Tories boycotted a debate on free TV licences for the over-75s as angry Opposition MPs backed calls to save the vital perk.
A motion urging ministers to continue funding was passed in the Commons unopposed after the mass stay-away.
And while the move is only symbolic, it adds to pressure on the Prime Minister to honour her 2017 manifesto vow.
National Pensioners Convention general secretary Jan Shortt said: “By passing the motion, MPs have shown the strength of feeling at the unfairness of scrapping the TV licence for over-75s.”
Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson said: “Today the Commons expressed its unanimous belief that the Government should stand by its manifesto pledge to protect free TV licences for over-75s.
“Members of Parliament and campaigners have made it clear that scrapping free TV licences is a betrayal of our older citizens and this Government should listen.”
Mrs May pledged in 2017 to preserve pensioner benefits for the lifetime of this Parliament, due to run until 2022.
But ministers had already put free TV licences at risk under a 2015 deal passing responsibility for funding the perk to the BBC from June 2020.
In yesterday’s session, Mr Watson blasted “austerity by the back door”. Pointing at the Tories, he said of their 2017 vow: “That promise lies in tatters – 4.5 million older people could be betrayed unless this Government acts.”
Accusing ministers of “passing the buck”, Labour MP Tan Dhesi added: “Cutting free TV licences will merely exacerbate the national loneliness crisis.”
And Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael added: “Right now for over-75s, the outcomes look pretty grim.”
Shadow Culture Minister Kevin Brennan praised the Daily Mirror for its campaigning to save free licences.
But Culture Minister Margot James tried to blame the situation on the BBC, saying: “It was [our] expectation that the BBC would continue to honour the concession.”
The BBC will announce its plans for the future of the benefit within weeks. THIS is an artist’s impression of the temporary chamber where MPs will debate as the House of Commons undergoes restoration.
Richmond House will be their home from 2025 at the earliest.
The plush offices in Earl’s Court, where the Department of Health used to be, replicate features of the Commons chamber, including its green benches and Speaker’s Chair.
Refurbishment of the crumbling Palace of Westminster will not be completed before 2030. Many have balked at the huge £1.5billion price after years of austerity.
Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh predicts the project will cause an “almighty row”. TORY licence-snatchers have shown contempt for millions of pensioners.
Their MPs stayed away from the debate on free TV licences in droves and Culture Minister Margot James said “no decision has been taken”. Untrue. It’s already been outsourced to the BBC, where it faces abolition.
Tom Watson blasted their “political cowardice”. He was talking about offloading responsibility to the Beeb but could have meant their no-show. Tories could be counted on the fingers.
John Whittingdale, co-architect of this scam, demanded scrapping the TV licence altogether. That’s the real objective: financial destruction of our cherished Beeb. Targeting Gordon Brown’s over-75 welfare is the thin end of a nasty political wedge.