Tory decision leads to thousands losing free TV in Southport

Over 8,000 households in Southport are set to lose the automatic free TV licence for those 75 and over, after a decision to make drastic changes to the concession.

The BBC has been looking to scrap free TV for the elderly after the Conservative government managed to offload the cost of it onto the broadcaster by 2020, something the BBC warned it simply could not afford.

Labour had established the concession back in 2000 in a bid to help pensioners with issues such as social isolation. Last year it was revealed during the BBC consultation on the issue that 40% of older people described television as their main source of company. 

The broadcaster has though now decided to replace the age group’s universal concession with one linked to Pension Credit, saving it half a billion pounds a year. It’s thought that up to three million households across the country will lose their entitlement.

Liz Savage, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Southport, says many local elderly residents will be affected by the decision:

“Sadly, this was always on the cards once the Government forced the BBC to foot the bill for free TV for the over 75’s. The Tories knew exactly what they were doing and simply wanted to push the blame for the cut onto the broadcaster. It won’t be that easy.

Only around 2,000 households locally will qualify under the new rules, which means that over 6,000 Southport homes face losing their free TV licence from next year. 

Now many local elderly will be forced to make a harsh choice of either going without their main source of company and information or possibly going without other necessities. It’s heartless and is just the latest in a series of attacks on the elderly by the Conservatives.”

Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Culture Secretary, responding to the conclusion of the BBC’s TV Licence consultation, said:

“It is an outrage that this Government is overseeing the scrapping of free TV licences for 3 million older people, leaving a Tory manifesto promise in tatters. 

“In the same week that Boris Johnson has championed tax cuts for the rich, the Conservative Government has delivered yet another ruthless welfare cut to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I challenge all Tory leadership candidates to honour the commitment they made in 2017. You cannot means test for social isolation. You cannot means test for loneliness. Millions of elderly and isolated people will lose because of this announcement – Labour will fight it with everything we’ve got.”