Age UK demands next government not be 'mean' and keep TV licences free for over 75s

As the UK heads to the polls, Age UK says the next government must not be 'mean' but ‘act quickly’ to keep TV licences free for all over-75s because too many people this age say TV makes them feel less lonely.

Since the BBC announced its intention to means-test the free TV licence for the over-75s in June 2019, the charity Age UK has been inundated with calls from worried older people across the country.

Age UK’s call to action comes as hundreds of thousands of over-75s could lose access to their TV and won’t be able to afford to buy a TV licence, unless the next government agrees to fund a free TV licences for everyone aged 75+.

‘Are we really so mean?’

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, said: “For many older people their TV is their principal way of knowing what is going on, both here and abroad, and of feeling part of the big moments that affect us all – whether that’s the outcome of an Election, a major sporting success, or important national events such as Remembrance Day.

“Are we really so mean as a country that we are prepared to run the risk of these very old people being cut off from our national life in this way? We underestimate at our peril just how much feeling part of these things means to many older people."

More than a just a ‘box in the corner’

The charity argues for many older people their TV is so much more than ‘that box in the corner of the room’, with its new research revealing almost half (41 per cent) of people aged over 75 admit TV helps them feel less alone.

The charity’s research shows half of all over-75s say they watch TV for more than four hours a day, with three quarters of people this age saying the TV gives them an insight into the modern world.

Some 2.2 million over-75s have a limiting long-standing illness – means in many cases they are largely confined to home – and the two million over-75s who live alone, a significant proportion of whom are likely to find it really tough to pay an additional £150+ annual bill.

The charity director added: “Let’s not make tomorrow the last time some of our over-75s are able to turn on their TV to watch the General Election coverage – because by the next time they will have had to switch off their television for good, or risk court action for non-payment of a bill they simply cannot afford.”

Age UK received huge public support for its #SwitchedOff campaign, and its petition had 630,000 signatures when it was handed to Number 10 Downing Street in September.

Any older person who is worried about money and/or thinks they may be entitled to claim Pension Credit can call Age UK's advice line on Freephone 0800 169 65 65,