Northumberland Labour is warning older people that they could be liable for a large fine if they have not bought a TV licence by the time the rules changes this Sunday (1 August).

The changes have come about as a result of the Tory government, who used to pay the licence fee for people over 75 passing this onto the BBC and the BBC deciding that they have to charge people over 75 for their TV licence.

As if older people haven’t been hit hard this year already with the pandemic forcing many info isolation away from limited access to friends and family the television was potentially their only friend.

Northumberland Labour leader Scott Dickinson said: “Making people over 75 pay for their TV licence is disgraceful.

“Many people over 75 rely on the TV as their only source of entertainment and information. Most of these people have paid in all their lives and deserve this small entitlement. 

“We are already seeing people being forced to work longer and those like the WASPI women unable to get their pension entitlement at the age planned and now this. 

“It was a cynical move on the part of this government to pass the problem to the BBC and the BBC has a lot to answer for in deciding they cannot support older people. But make no mistake this is a decision of the Government levied on the BBC to carry out. 

“We want to ensure that no one gets handed a fine, so we’re flagging this up so people are aware it’s happening this weekend.”