AM CALLS FOR FREE TV LICENCES FOR OVER 75s TO BE REINSTATED

Local Assembly Member Mick Antoniw is backing Pontypridd residents who are angry about UK Government cuts to the free TV licence for over 75s.

Mick Antoniw said:

“Residents are right to be upset.  The Tories have broken their manifesto promise on free TV licences and have made life harder for thousands of older residents on fixed incomes.

“The UK Government’s decision to remove the TV licence subsidy has hit 3500 households in Pontypridd, and almost 160,000 across Wales, most of these households are on fixed incomes.  I am calling on the UK Government to reinstate the free TV licence for over 75s”

Commenting on reports that not all people entitled to pension credit are claiming the benefit, Mick Antoniw added:

“If you are in receipt of Pension Credits you will still be entitled to a free tv licence.  I am concerned however, that qualifying households don’t claim the top-up – in many cases because they don’t realise they’re entitled to it.   The charity Independent Age has calculated that nearly 80,000 households in Wales who are eligible for pension credit are not claiming it.  You can find out if you are eligible here https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility ”