On Monday 10^th June, the BBC has announced that the TV licence concession for over-75s will be linked to Pension Credit.

This is another ruthless welfare cut for the most vulnerable in our society. This Tory Government is scrapping yet another one of their manifesto promises by overseeing this removal of free TV licences for 3 million older people. Having to pay a TV licence will push people even further into poverty at a time when pensioner poverty is rising

Here in Wallasey, up to 4,120 households face losing their entitlement to free TV licences as a result.

It’s appalling that this Tory Government is trying to offload responsibility for funding free TV licences onto the BBC. Free TV licenses for the over-75s should remain a welfare benefit funded by the Government, as research has shown that TV is vital for combatting loneliness and isolation amongst pensioners, with four out of 10 elderly people saying that the TV is their main form of company. You cannot means test for social isolation, and Labour will continue to fight this draconian policy.