TORY MSPS MUST BACK CROSS-PARTY CALLS FOR FREE TV LICENCES

Published date : 17 Jun 2019

19,197 OVER 75s TO LOSE OUT IN FIFE

Jenny Gilruth, the SNP MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes has challenged local Tory MSP Murdo Fraser to get behind calls to stop free TV licences for over-75s being scrapped, after Tory leaders refused to sign a cross-party letter criticising the plans.

Figures revealed that 19,197 of people in Fife will be hit by the Tory government’s decision to force over-75s to pay an extra £154.50 in household bills.

According to a BBC report, the poorest 40,000 of over-75s in Scotland will lose out under the new BBC TV licence means-testing.

The SNP has called for the UK government to ensure the free TV licence is fully funded. Tory leader Ruth Davidson was asked to sign a cross-party letter calling for the Prime Minister to stop free TV licences for over-75s from being scrapped, but declined.

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth said:

“Scrapping the free TV licence for over-75s will leave tens of thousands of Scots worse off.

“After years of Tory austerity, the last thing our older people need is money being taken out of their pockets. The extra burden of £154.50 to their household bills could have a serious impact on hard-stretched finances.

“Ruth Davidson’s refusal to act to protect free TV licence for over-75s is damning – it’s clearer than ever that the Tories simply can’t be trusted to deliver for Scotland’s older people.

“Tory MSPs in Fife must urgently get behind cross-party calls to ensure that the TV licence for over-75s is properly funded and protected.”

ENDS

Notes:

‘Scottish Tories decline to sign cross-party letter urging for free TV licenses for over-75s’ https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4369783/tories-ruth-davidson-tv-license-letter-refuse/

Local Reporters, East Fife Mail, Glenrothes Gazette, Courier (Fife)