MoS readers’ fury at ‘wretched’ BBC decision over TV licences

PRESSURE on both the BBC and Government to cancel the stripping of free TV licences from older people is mounting.

Scores of readers have contacted The Mail on Sunday to voice their distress as many over-75s are now receiving letters warning them that they will have to pay for a licence from June next year.

Many pensioners in ill health will have to dig deep for the £154.50 annual fee, despite surviving on low incomes.

Jim Oldcorn, 75, lives in Great Harwood, Lancashire, and works as a visiting officer helping elderly people with housing benefit and council tax forms. He says: ‘The decision is heartless, wretched and an outrageous display of total contempt for the elderly in our society.

‘It will affect the most vulnerable and lonely in the country. I see first hand that many pensioners are housebound and exist in social isolation – the TV is a lifeline and the only friend they have.’

Conservative Party leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt says he supports maintaining free licences for the elderly, honouring the party’s 2017 election manifesto. But the National Pensioners Convention says it is still putting pressure on Boris Johnson’s camp, which has so far been ‘reluctant’ to agree.

Unless the move is scrapped, the only way to avoid paying the fee will be to claim Pension Credit. Some 1.3million households eligible for the benefit – which tops up the State pension to a minimum amount – are not claiming and should call the helpline on 0800 99 1234.

To sign Age UK’s petition fighting the change visit campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/ page/34266/petition.