THE SNP have slammed the Tories for breaking yet another election promise as it was revealed that the BBC will end blanket free TV licenses for over-75s.
Up to 3.7 million pensioners who currently receive a free TV licence will have to pay, according to an announcement from the broadcaster.
It said free TV licences will only be available to households with one person aged over 75 who receives pension credit, in a move that contradicts the 2017 Tory manifesto.
The party had promised to “maintain” pensioner benefits, “including free bus passes, eye tests, prescriptions and TV licences, for the duration of this Parliament”.
The BBC explained in a tweet: “From June 2020 any household with someone aged over 75 who receives Pension Credit will be eligible for a free TV licence funded by the BBC.This means: those least able to pay will still get a free licence. Viewers & listeners will still receive the best programmes and services that the BBC can provide.”
In light of the breaking news, the SNP, which has consistently called on the UK Government to fund the TV licence for over-75s, committed to raise the issue at the earliest opportunity in the House of Commons.
The SNP spokesperson on digital, culture, media and sport, Hannah Bardell MP, urged the UK Government to ensure the free TV licence is fully funded and can continue to benefit around 4.5m households across Scotland and the UK.
Bardell said: “After years of Tory austerity, and the deep financial uncertainty of Brexit, the last thing our older people need is the extra burden of £154.50 to their household bills.
“The UK Government must U-turn on their broken manifesto promise and fully fund the TV licence for our older people.”
The corporation’s director-general, Tony Hall, defended the move.
He said: “This decision is fairest for the poorest pensioners ... it protects those most in need.
“And importantly, it is not the BBC making that judgment about poverty.
“It is the Government who sets and controls that measure.”
BBC chairman Sir David Clementi also jumped to the broadcaster’s defence.
He added: “Linking a free licence for over-75s to Pension Credit was the leading reform option.
“It protects the poorest over-75s, while protecting the services that they, and the audiences, love. It is the fairest and best outcome.”
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