Imagine, if you will, being a person over 75 in this pandemic.
Being told to cut yourself off from the outside world for your own safety, and not knowing when you'd see your loved ones again.
Leaving thousands of elderly people without TV during a national crisis just isn't an option
I know that I'd want to keep some semblance of normality. For many older people in our area, that comes in the form of TV.
But on the 1st August, the Government scrapped free licences for all over 75s except those on pension credit. Research suggests that it will strip over 5,700 households of their free licence in our constituency alone.
That's a huge cut, at a time where free access to public broadcasting couldn't be more important. Not to mention one where the Tories are already doing their best to quietly dismantle public broadcasting via the back door.
The Tories committing volte face again - this time over TV licences for older voters. Many thousands in my seat will be affected. If this is you - please do feel free to let our MP @carolinenokes know exactly how you feel... pic.twitter.com/Yx2OTJ76JT
— 🔶Craig Fletcher 🔶 Parliamentary Spokes Rom/Soton (@craigfletcherld) August 14, 2020
It's a disgrace. And it's time for the Tories to get their act together and do something about it. Leaving thousands of elderly people without TV during a national crisis just isn't an option.
We must save free TV licences. I'm calling on the Government to foot the bill, and then to set up a review into the licence fee so this can't happen again. If you agree, I hope you'll add your voice to mine and help hold the Government to account.
