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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Robert Fairnie

BBC TV licence fee changes will mean over 75s no longer get it for free

The BBC has scrapped a policy whereby people over the age of 75 are entitled to a free TV licence.

The measure is one of a number of changes set to be introduced by the broadcaster from next year.

From 2020 those over 75 will have to fork out £150.50 for a colour TV licence unless they are on pension credit.

The Daily Record reports that this comes as the BBC are looking to find ways to make up the shortfall, and follows a consultation with 190,000 people – of which 52 per cent wanted reforms or the fees to be abolished.

Currently there are more than 400,000 over-75s in Scotland who are entitled to the free licence.

The BBC Board say households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible for the free licence.

However the news hasn't gone down well with campaigners from Age UK who fears this could leave vulnerable elderly people cut off from the world.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said: "Make no mistake, if this scheme goes ahead we are going to see sick and disabled people in their eighties and nineties who are completely dependent on their cherished TV for companionship and news, forced to give it up.

"Means-testing may sound fair but in reality it means at least 650,000 of our poorest pensioners facing a big new annual bill they simply can't afford, because though eligible for Pension Credit they don't actually get it."

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