Tories ‘knew they could not keep free OAP TV vow’

THE Tories made a vow to keep TV licences free for pensioners which was impossible to deliver, a minister has admitted.

Their 2017 manifesto pledged to “maintain” OAP benefits “including TV licences for the duration of this Parliament”, until 2022. Yet a law passed the month before it was written gave the BBC the power to end free licences for over-75s in 2020, when the Government-funded scheme ends.

The BBC has launched a consultation on its future, but warned it could cost around a fifth of their budget. Lord Ashton adm- itted Government had no power to protect free licences when the promise was made.

On Tuesday the Tory Culture Minister told Parliament that, under the Digital Economy Act, Government “retains the power to maintain the concession to 2020, after which full responsibility will transfer to the BBC”. He added: “So it took place before the manifesto was written.” But he insisted they “absolutely made it clear” the BBC was expected to continue the scheme.

Labour deputy Tom Watson said: “The logic of what the Minister said is Theresa May knowingly misled pensioners.”