Everyone over 65 should be entitled to a free TV licence, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said.
Ms Anderson made the call after the price of a colour TV licence rose to £139.50, a 3 per cent increase on last year’s prices.
The Foyle MLA said the increase will cause hardship for many local pensioners.
“This will place a heavy financial bur
den on the over 65's among others and comes at time when many pensioners are feeling the pinch with the rising costs of living.
Residential care
"I am calling for the introduction of free TV Licences for the over 65's and that free licences be made available to all residents of residential care homes for the elderly and people with physical/mental disabilities and people who are blind.
Currently if you are blind or severely sight impaired, you can apply for a 50% concession on the cost of your TV Licence. And, if you live in residential care, you may qualify for a TV Licence at the cost of just £7.50 per year,” he said.
Ms Anderson said the criteria for free TV licences should be widened. "We need to take a much more comprehensive approach in meeting the needs of our older people and easing the financial burdens many are facing. The money they are being asked to pay for TV licences would be much better spent going towards getting home heating oil or paying an electricity bill which are rising by the week,” she said.
The full article contains 262 words and appears in Foyle News newspaper.
