... as many struggle to pay licence

TENS of thousands of pensioners in Scotland are struggling to pay their TV licence, a charity has warned.

From the start of this month, the BBC scrapped the automatic entitlement to a free TV licence for the over-75s.

Now Age Scotland has warned that more than 130,000 elderly Scots – 28 per cent of the over-75 age group – are living in relative poverty, meaning many will be forced to choose between paying for TV or for food.

The changes in the licensing system mean only those who receive pension credit will continue to get a free licence.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland chief executive, said: ‘It is extremely alarming to hear from older people who say they are cutting back in order to afford to pay for their TV licence, but it was clear from the start that this would be one of the consequences.’

Alistair Gault, 76, a retired oil worker from Dingwall, Rossshire, lives alone and narrowly misses out on pension credit.

He said: ‘I usually try to get out and about but then the lockdown meant I was confined to barracks. I found myself stuck at home looking at the TV.’