Bolton Labour Bolton Labour Party supports residents across Bolton, Blackrod, Farnworth, Horwich, Kearsley, Little Lever and Westhoughton
12,070 pensioners in Bolton will soon receiving a letter informing them that they are no longer entitled to a free TV licence under the new means-tested scheme.
Up until 31st July this year, anyone aged over 75 qualified for a free TV licence. New rules mean that only over 75s in receipt of Pension Credit will be eligible.
Around 3.2 million households across Great Britain could lose out on the benefit, according to the findings – including 12,070 pensioners here in Bolton.
Bolton Labour Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, spoke out: “Its not good the Tory Government blaming the BBC for this move, when it’s their own doing. Over 12,000 households in Bolton will now be landed with a thumping bill of £157.50!
Free TV licences for all over 75s were brought in by the Last labour Government in 1999 and have been under threat from the Tories since they came to power in 2010. Despite all their talk, this again shows that the Tories have little regard for those who have already done their bit for the country.”