Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, is adding her voice to Age Scotland’s growing campaign urging the BBC to overturn the decision to scrap free TV licences for over 75s.

The announcement that over 75s who are not eligible for Pension Credit will no longer receive a free TV licence is unfair and a devastating blow to older people, many of whom depend on their TV for companionship and information.

Jackie Baillie is calling on the BBC and the UK Government to get together as a matter of urgency to find a solution to a problem that will affect more than 300,000 older people in Scotland.

Age Scotland research has found that for those who are chronically lonely, TV is a lifeline. Half of over 75s said that their TV or their pet was their main form of company and, before the coronavirus pandemic, 9 out of 10 older people said they watched TV every day.

From August 1, only those in receipt of Pension Credit, a benefit to support those on the lowest incomes, will be able to claim a free TV licence. However, around 100,000 people in Scotland who are entitled to the benefit are not claiming it.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“The decision to get rid of the free TV license for over 75s is ill-thought out and will be a devastating loss to the thousands of older people who rely on their TV for company.

“The past months of lockdown have meant that many older people have been unable to even leave their front door and have gone without vital face to face interaction. Their TVs kept them connected with what was happening in the rest of the world.

“I am proud to support the fantastic work that Age Scotland is doing to pressure the BBC to reverse this decision.”

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said:

“We are delighted that so many people are supporting our campaign to have this harsh decision overturned.

“The past few months have been very hard for older people, as many struggled with isolation and loneliness during the prolonged lockdown.

“For those older people the TV was a real lifeline, providing company when they were unable to see loved ones, as well as being a vital source of information about government guidelines around coronavirus.

“To choose to start charging over 75s for to watch TV at this time seems particularly cruel.

“We have called on the BBC to sit down with the UK government to sort this issue out once and for all. There must be a better solution than imposing a new bill on older people.

“We are hearing from so many older people who are appalled and upset about the prospect of having to pay to watch TV. But it’s not too late to do something about it. Join us in making our voices heard and having the threat of this charge removed once and for all.”