Fears for free TV licences for older people

As many as 50,000 UK pensioners could be pushed below the poverty line if the free TV licence was to be scrapped for over-75s, Age UK claims.

The charity said it wants the government to take back responsibility for funding free TV licences.

The BBC has previously launched a consultation period to decide how licence fees for over-75s should be paid for, with various potential options suggested.

Households with people over 75 are entitled to a free TV licence.

But that governmentfunded scheme – which is expected to cost £745 million by 2021-22 – comes to an end in June 2020.

Age UK said its estimates suggest that around 50,000 UK pensioners could be pushed below the poverty line if the free licence fee was to be scrapped.

The charity said an additional bill of £150.50 – the current cost of an annual TV licence – “will undoubtedly cause great worry and distress to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable pensioners who are already struggling to get by, potentially forcing them to cut back on other essentials such as heating and food in order to remain informed, entertained, stimulated and connected to the world beyond their doorstep”.

A BBC spokesman said: “We have set out a range of options in our consultation each has merits and consequences, with implications for the future of the BBC and for everyone, including older people.

“We need to hear everyone’s views.”