Town hall calls for a U-turn over TV licence fee

NEARLY 3,900 pensioners in Hyndburn will be affected by BBC plans to scrap free TV licenses for over 75, a council meeting heard.

Councillor Glen Harrison urged council members to back his motion proposing to write to the BBC and the Government calling for a u-turn on the controversial proposal announced last month.

Speaking at a recent council meeting, Coun Harrison said the decision would affect 3,880 pensioners in the borough.

He said: “Older people, many of whom already get a raw deal after working for a lifetime, will be left choosing between food, heating and the only friendly face they see all day.

“If we let this slide then the next thing to be scrapped with be the free bus travel for pensioners.

“It’s hardly sending out a message that older people are valued. It’s quite the opposite.”

Funding free TV licences for all over-75s would have resulted in “unprecedented closures”, the BBC said.

The broadcaster said that BBC Two, BBC Four, the BBC News Channel, the BBC Scotland channel, Radio 5live, and a number of local radio stations would all have been at risk of closing.

The BBC said “fairness” was at the heart of the ruling, which comes into force in June 2020.

Coun Harrison’s motion was unanimously approved by councillors.