MP slams TV licence decision

Ashton MP Angela Rayner

The Government’s decision to scrap free TV licenses for over 75s will affect 1,828 pensioners in Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth – 226 of them over 90-years-old.

Ashton MP Angela Rayner has hit out at the figures, which also show that 11,688 centenarians and 109,083 people aged over 95 across the country will be affected.

She said: “This has been pushed through despite the 2017 Tory Manifesto promise that the Government would maintain free TV licences for over-75s.

"They have offloaded the responsibility onto the BBC and as a result, 3.7 million over-75s will have their free licences cut.

“Labour is calling on the Government to urgently step in and save the free TV licences by funding the concession from Government coffers rather than means testing them via Pension Credit.

“Of the 3.7 million older people due to lose this benefit, 1.6 million of them live completely alone.

"The Government is blaming the BBC, but public broadcasters should never be responsible for social policy.

"I opposed this outsourcing of social policy from the start.

“The free TV licence is an important benefit for pensioners, who suffer disproportionately from loneliness and social isolation.

"With TV licences set to be means-tested, millions of older people, almost half of whom consider television their main source of company, will have to pay to keep the little company they do have.

“I want the Government to take back responsibility for maintaining the free licence and I will continue to press for the overturning of this decision to honour the commitment to protect free TV licences for the over-75s.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.