Angus MacNeil SNP candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar has called on the next Government to back a committee of MP’s who have urged the BBC and the Government to reach agreement to continue funding free TV Licenses to over 75’s.

The BBC plans to scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, only households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible but in October 2019 the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee called on the BBC and the Government to reach an agreement to continue funding free TV licences to over 75’s after 2020.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said: “There are around 3,000 island residents who are over the age of 75 – just over 10 per cent of our islands population.

“They should continue to be exempt from paying for a TV licence and any effort to remove that and impose an additional household bill on older people is shameful.

“For many people TV is just welcome entertainment, but for others it is day to day company which helps combat loneliness and isolation.

“Over the last few months this matter has been raised several times in Parliament and together with my SNP colleagues I will continue to urge whichever Government is in power after the election to ensure the continuation of Free TV licences for the over 75’s”

“The BBC plans to scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, only households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible but in October 2019 the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee called on the BBC and the Government to reach an agreement to continue funding free TV licences to over 75’s after 2020.”

ENDS