Miriam Margolyes has joined the Mirror’s campaign to save free TV licences for over-75s.
The actress, 77, has blasted the Government’s decision to stop funding it. She said: “It’s shocking. It’s wrong that they are scrapping the free licence for over-75s.”
The Tories vowed at the 2017 election to keep free TV licences for over-75s for the length of this Parliament, due to run till 2022.
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But in 2015, they made the BBC responsible for funding the benefit, costing £745million a year from June 2020. The corporation says it is unable to finance it.
Call The Midwife star Miriam, left, said: “The BBC can’t afford to pay, they are very badly funded. It’s the best television in the world that we have.
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“We should be very grateful for it. It’s one of the main sources of pleasure for older people, especially those who can’t get out much.”
The outcome of a consultation on free licences is due in June.
