Half a million dementia patients face losing their free TV licence

MORE than half a million older people with dementia could be forced to pay for their television licences from next year, research suggests.

The estimate came after the BBC announced it would make people aged 75 and over pay £154.50 a year for their licences from June, with the exception of those who claim pension credit.

More than 552,000 older people with dementia, including more than 140,000 aged 90 or over, could lose free licences – a total reached by combining population statistics with the prevalence of dementia by age group.

Responding to the study, commissioned by the Labour Party, the Alzheimer’s Society said television could serve as a “lifeline” for older people.

Gavin Terry, the charity’s head of policy, told The Guardian: “It’s vital that this change… is rolled out in a way that is easy to access and understand for people with dementia and carers.”

A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “We’re disappointed with the BBC’S decision not to continue free licences for the over-75s. We want and expect it to continue this concession.”

A BBC spokesman said: “TV licensing recognises that some people are vulnerable and it’s important to provide additional support and reasonable adjustments for these customers. We want to work very closely with organisations working with older people to offer as much help as we can and we know that customers may prefer a family member or carer to deal with their TV licence on their behalf, so we already have mechanisms in place to facilitate this.”