For immediate release:

LOCAL MSP BLASTS SCRAPPING OF FREE TV LICENSE FOR OVER 75s

Thousands of people across the Rutherglen Westminster constituency will be hit by the decision to scrap the free TV license for all over-75s, figures reveal.

At the moment, the UK Government pays the £154.50 license fee for around 4.5 million pensioners, however they have now forced the BBC to take on the responsibility for the over-75 concession as part of a deal on the corporation’s funding.

The annual cost of the concession was expected to reach £745 million by 2021/22.

The BBC has now confirmed that it will not pay for the free licences to everyone aged over 75 and will now only be available to those in receipt of Pension Credit.

Figures show that of the current 5,730 households with an over 75-year-old in the Rutherglen Westminster constituency, 62% could cease to qualify for a free TV licence.

This has prompted Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey to write to the UK Government to urge them to fully fund the free TV licence for everyone over the age of 75.

Commenting, the local MSP said:

“It’s entirely unfair that the UK Government have tried to pass responsibility for this cut onto the BBC.

“As it stands, this cut could mean that around 3,530 households in my constituency will lose out – a whopping 62% of those who currently qualify.

“The UK Government should urgently stop this and ensure that the TV license for over-75s is be properly funded and protected.”

ENDS

Notes:

Further information can be found on the links below:

https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/SN04955
https://www.thenational.scot/news/17696917.snp-hit-out-at-bbc-over-move-to-burden-over-75s-with-tv-licence-fee/

Date published: 13th June 2019