A Dundee MP has accused the UK Government of “breath-taking buck passing” after free TV licences for viewers over the age of 75 were scrapped.
More than 8,500 pensioners in Dundee will now have to fork out for a permit to watch TV after the BBC announced earlier in the year it was scrapping the provision for the over 75s.
Across Courier Country it is expected more than 43,000 OAPs will now have to pay.
In Scotland, the SNP have estimated pensioners could lose out on more than £41 million.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie contacted the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport asking the reconsider the decision.
Mr Hosie argued that although the decision was made by the BBC, it was the government who were at fault.
Culture secretary Jeremy Wright MP responded to Mr Hosie, saying: “The government is disappointed with this decision as it has been clear that it wants and expects the
BBC to continue this concession.
“Taxpayers want to see the BBC using its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers for UK audiences.
“People across the country value television as a way to stay connected, and the government expects the BBC to look at further ways to support older people.”
Mr Hosie said: “While I am, of course, disappointed in the BBC for ending this scheme we cannot for one second forget that this is entirely the fault of the UK Government who were warned that this would happen at the time.
“The breath-taking buck-passing from the secretary of state in response to my letter is just ridiculous.
“It is a fact that if the UK Government hadn’t passed responsibility of the funding over to the BBC we wouldn’t be in this position and millions of pensioners wouldn’t need to worry over yet another expense.
“Failing to continue funding for many senior citizen’s only window to the rest of the world makes it clear that this callous Tory Government is failing older people.
“The UK Government must take this concession back into public hands and help lift pensioners out of poverty by ensuring they are receiving the money they are due.”
