Last chance to save free TV licences as general election looms, warn campaigners

Campaigners today launch a last-ditch bid to save free TV licences at the general election.

Millions of OAPs face forking out to watch their favourite shows from June after the Tories ditched a 2017 manifesto pledge to save the lifeline for over-75s.

Research for Age UK shows three-quarters of over-75s say their TV offers an insight into the modern world, with 41% saying television helps them feel less alone.

Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “As the UK prepares to go to the polls it is salutary to remember just how important the TV is to many older people, not only as a source of companionship but also as a means of keeping up with a rapidly changing world and the twists and turns in the life of our nation.

“For many older people their TV is their principal way of knowing what is going on, both here and abroad, and of feeling part of the big moments that affect us all – whether that’s the outcome of an election, a major sporting success, or important national events such as Remembrance Day.

“We underestimate at our peril just how much feeling part of these things means to many older people.

“Let’s not make tomorrow the last time some of our over-75s are able to turn on their TV to watch the general election coverage – because by the next time they will have had to switch off their television for good, or risk court action for non-payment of a bill they simply cannot afford.”

Labour has promised to save free licences for the over-75s but the Tories have called on the BBC to stump up.

Bectu broadcasting union chief Philippa Childs said: “Ahead of the upcoming election, we would urge the next government to take responsibility for funding free licence fees for over 75s.

“As a public service broadcaster, the BBC is a vital lifeline for older people, providing news, drama and entertainment for the vulnerable – but they shouldn’t be expected to administer a welfare benefit.

“The next Government should recognise the value of BBC to the country, fund it properly to deliver excellent output and stop treating it as a political football.”

The warning comes after Boris Johnson threatened to axe the licence fee as he stepped up his bitter war on the media this week.

The Prime Minister said he was “certainly looking at” abolishing TV licences – casting doubt on the corporation’s vital funding as he toured target seats in the run-up to the general election.

The revelation could force the BBC to become a subscription-only service like Netflix , Sky or Amazon Prime.

Viewers currently pay £154.50 for a TV licence, regardless of whether they watch the BBC.

The Tories are also thought to be considering decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee.

The Conservatives promised at the 2017 election to protect free licences for the over-75s for the rest of the Parliament, which had been due to run until 2022.

But the BBC had already been handed responsibility for funding the lifeline from June 2020, under a deal stitched up in 2015.

The corporation says continuing to fund free licences would have cost £745million – a fifth of its budget – by 2021-22.

That is equivalent to what it spends on BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, the BBC News Channel, and children’s stations CBBC and CBeebies.

The corporation plans to curb the benefit, meaning just 1.5 million OAPs are likely to continue receiving free licences when restrictions take effect next Spring.

Only over-75s receiving Pension Credit will be eligible – meaning 80% of over-75s, some 3.7 million OAPs, will have to stump up to watch their favourite shows.

The Mirror is campaigning to save the lifeline, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight by completing coupons in the paper.

More than 600,000 have signed Age UK’s Switched Off petition calling for free licences to be preserved and the Government to take back responsibility for funding.

Former PM Gordon Brown and Royle Family actor Ricky Tomlinson have supported the battle.

Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson said: “By taking away older people’s TV licences, you are cutting them off from the wider world.

“It’s a terrible cruelty. Only a Labour government will save free TV licences.”