All over 75s in Scotland are set to have their TV licence paid under new plans set out by Scottish Labour.
Leader Anas Sarwar has unveiled a commitment to help the most elderly across the country pay for their licence fee, if he is elected.
Under Labour's plans to reduce pensioner poverty they will introduce a 'digital connection credit' to help Scots pay their broadband bills.
From August 1 last year people over the age of 75 no longer received a free TV licence, unless they received pension credit.
Labour will commit to establishing a ‘Staying Connected’ fund offering grants to every household with someone aged 75 and over, up to the current £159 value of the TV licence, to go towards either paying their licence fee or other digital connectivity bills.
Announcing his plans, Sarwar said Holyrood has the powers to tackle the "national scandal" of pensioner poverty and ease the cost of the Tories' "broken promise" not to scrap the benefit.
The fund, which Scottish Labour says would cost no more than £73.1 million per year, would entirely cover the cost of the licence fee but could also be used to pay for broadband bills.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "Labour would help every person aged 75 and over in Scotland with the cost of their TV licence or help with their broadband bills.
"Pensioner poverty in Scotland is a national scandal, and it’s not fair that hundreds of thousands of older people are facing a new bill for TV licences. The Tories have broken their promise to these Scots, but we can use Holyrood’s powers to protect a benefit Labour is proud to have introduced.
"For many older people, TV is a lifeline against loneliness and isolation.
"While the pandemic separated us all in our homes, the way many of us came together was over online video calls like Zoom. As we emerge from the worst of the public health crisis, it is essential that older people are not left behind in our recovery.
"It’s right that the Scottish Parliament delivers support to ease the cost of that.
"I am proud to present a positive vision for the vital years ahead in our manifesto, which focuses on delivering a national recovery to build a stronger and fairer Scotland."
