Urgent question as many over-75s look set to lose free TV licences
11 June 2019 (updated on 11 June 2019)
Deputy Labour Leader and Shadow Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Tom Watson, asked an urgent question in the House of Commons on the scrapping of free TV licences for many over-75s.
This follows the recent announcement from the BBC that it would be stopping free TV licences for many over-75s from June 2020. This would affect up to 3.7m pensioners. The BBC announced only low-income households where one person receives pension credit would still be eligible for a free licence.
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Wright QC, responded on behalf of the Government, saying;
"We are very disappointed that the BBC will not protect free television licences for all viewers aged 75 and over."
Following up on his question, Tom Watson said;
"There are 1.8 million over 75s who live completely alone who will lose their TV licence under this announcement. How can this Minister justify that?"
- Watch Parliament TV: Urgent Question asked on free TV licences for over-75s
- Read Commons Hansard: Urgent Question on free TV licences for over 75s
- Find out more about the new plans from the BBC on free TV licences (external site)
Image: PA
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