OLDHAM West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has continued his attack on the government following the BBC's plans to cut free TV licences for the over 75s.

Mr McMahon is pointing to the fact that millions of people across the country will suffer the economic and social consequences of this cut, stating that 3,700 older people in his constituency alone will be affected by the cuts.

He said: “More than 3,700 people in my constituency are about to feel the full force of this cut and not all of them will be able to withstand it without falling deeper into poverty.

"I last warned against this earlier this month, and without change thousands of people will suffer the economic and social consequences of this cut. Please sign this petition and lets change this.”

The petition, run by Age UK, has already gathered more than 570,000 signatures across the UK showing an appetite for the reinstatement of the concessions.

A spokesperson for Age UK said: “We believe this change will harm millions of older people who rely on their TV. Together, we must demand the government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences.”

Mr McMahon continued: “This decision is an outrage. We simply cannot allow this government to get away with another disguised welfare cut via the BBC and the free tv licenses.

"They claim austerity is over, yet hit society from all sides, young old, poor, rich, everyone is now on the Tories hit list. They are in the pursuit of popularity amongst themselves at all cost.

"The fact this leadership debate is going to continue well into the summer while we are in the midst of a national crisis and with policy such as this to go ahead, is shameful to say the least.”

Notes

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-free-tv-for-older-people/?fbclid=IwAR3XywtYRiQTYsjIW_qBJfRtS-gfZS5OlhnvsgoY0ctclsOJpV_PRYmGTxY – Age UK Petition