Tories switch off over TV licences

■ Seeing the empty chamber during the debate on the issue of free TV licences for the over-75s (Mirror, May 9) made me think no one seems bothered about the mental wellbeing of older people. Loneliness cannot be quantified, but it can be alleviated by watching TV.

The Tories pledged free TV licences were guaranteed until 2022 – now a broken promise.

There are also other important issues to be considered for older people, such as changes to pension credit rules from next week, pensioner poverty, the care crisis – the list goes on.

Gary Martin, East London

■ The Tories have always attempted to take away what Labour has given the working class. They voted against the NHS at its inception and have snipped away at it ever since. They opposed free prescriptions for OAPs and benefits and are now trying to take away free TV licences for over-75s. They obviously think by making this a responsibility of the BBC, people would blame the broadcaster. But we all know – and won’t forget come election time – who the true culprit is. Sheila Fox Crawley

West Sussex

■ Faced with the prospect of losing seats by the time of the next election, I think the Government may quickly change its policy on free TV licences for the over-75s.

After all, it’s going to need all the help it can get, judging by the state of turmoil it’s in now.

Ken Pennington Stalybridge, Gtr Manchester

■ The Tories will find all the excuses under the sun to stop funding free TV licences for the over-75s. Even if they keep it to pacify the “grey vote” they would find a way of stopping it again.

Why don’t we make a fresh start and get rid of May and her cronies so we can have a prosperous country for all? Michael Maher, Ashton-underLyne, Gtr Manchester

■ Mrs May should keep to the promise she made in the last election manifesto to retain free TV licences for the over-75s.

If she doesn’t, she’s being hypocritical in allowing her MPs to claim the cost of their licences against expenses. Another case of one rule for them and another rule for the rest of us.

C Rolfe, Chelmsford, Essex

■ We are reminded by the BBC that it can’t afford to fund pensioners’ free TV licences, yet it is paying Gary Lineker £1.75million for his pundit role in Match of the Day.

How can it justify this? It’s the match we like to watch, not some pundit spouting their opinion.

Get rid of him and other highly paid employees and there would be funds to continue the free TV licence scheme. Brian A Hamper Heathfield, East Sussex

■ Theresa May seems to put great store on keeping manifesto pledges, so how hypocritical that she has reneged on her promise to keep the free TV licences for the over-75s.

Duncan Anderson Immingham, Lincs