Edinburgh peer accuses UK government of lacking compassion over free TV licences for over-75s

THE UK Government has been accused of a lack of compassion for the elderly after it failed to back calls for an indefinite suspension of the move to make over-75s to pay for TV licences.

Edinburgh-based Labour peer George Foulkes predicted the campaign to save free licences would step up after he raised the issue in the House of Lords, saying the Government was forcing hundreds of thousands of old people to stay at home and TV was a vital source of information for many.

Junior culture minister Lady Barran said over-75 TV licences were the BBC’s responsibility.

Lord Foulkes said afterwards: “I am extremely disappointed with the Government’s response today, yet again it has failed to show compassion and understanding for the elderly community.“I’m outraged that the Government continues to turn a blind eye to this, condemning hundreds of thousands of older people to even greater loneliness and misery while bailing out others more able to cope.“I therefore expect campaigns, like the Silver Voices, to be “ramped up” further – to use the Government’s favourite phrase – until they concede.In these unprecedented times even greater compassion is needed and the Government must do a deal with the BBC to fund this benefit which is relied upon by so many.”