Rebel pensioners who face being stripped of free TV licences are attempting to “gum up the works” to save their benefit.
Some 3.7 million OAPs are due to lose the lifeline, worth £157.50 a year, from August 1.
Curbs on entitlement were due to come into force today, but were delayed by two months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Older people’s groups are demanding a further stay of execution – and called on the Tories to honour a 2017 manifesto pledge to protect free TV licences for the over-75s.
Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said: “It is callous for the Government to leave this threat hanging over the heads of vulnerable and isolated senior citizens.”
From August 1, all over-60s will be urged to stop Direct Debit payments to pay the fee, and tell the BBC they will only correspond with TV Licensing by post, and only pay by cheque.
Labour Peer Lord Foulkes, 78, will raise the TV licences row in House of Lords tomorrow.
The Mirror is campaigning to permanently save the benefit, with more than 18,000 readers backing the fight.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the BBC to “cough up” and save free licences.
But outgoing BBC boss Lord Hall has blamed the Government for axing the benefit.
