I rise to present a petition on behalf of my constituents relating to television licences for the over-75s.

The petition states:

The petition of the residents of Linlithgow and Falkirk,

Declares that free TV licences to households with someone aged over 75 should remain for the foreseeable future;
notes that this scheme should remain in governmental hands rather than being privatised via the BBC;
further that the removal of the free TV licences will have a negative impact on some of the poorest pensioners in the Constituency and across the country;
further notes that one of the BBC’s proposals in the consultation is means-testing the concession by linking the free licences to Pension Credit;
further that the Department for Work and Pensions’ own estimates show that nationally 40% (two in five) of those entitled to receive Pension Credit are not in receipt of the benefit and would be excluded;
further that access to media, especially if frail or housebound, can reduce loneliness in older age and improve wellbeing.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reverse the planned decision to end the funding of the free TV licence to households with someone aged over 75 and the privatisation of this to the BBC.

[P002449]