The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots has expressed her disappointment at news that the BBC is to go ahead with a plan to end free TV licences for most over-75s, after a two-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The news means more than three million households will be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee from 1 August with only those receiving Pension Credit exempt.

While the BBC has said described the decision as fair it was been hailed as ‘wrong’ by the Government and “’a kick in the teeth’ by Age UK.

According to the BBC the delay in implementing the fee had cost £35m a month with the overall cost of continuing to provide free licences to all over-75s potentially reaching £1bn a year over time.

BBC Chairman Sir David Clementi said the decision had not been easy, but said that the the broadcaster was under ‘under severe financial pressure’ and a further delay would have had an impact on programmes.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:“I am extremely disappointed that the BBC has confirmed it will withdraw the free TV licence for people over 75 who do not receive Pension Credit from August, something that will affect thousands of older people throughout Wales.

“For many older people, the ‘exceptional circumstances’ which led to the BBC delaying its plans during the pandemic were not exceptional at all – we know that over half of the 260,000 older people in Wales aged 75 or over live alone and that, for many, television is their only companion and their primary source of news and entertainment.

“We also know that thousands of older people in Wales who are entitled to pension credit do not claim it, with up to £214 million being returned unclaimed to the treasury each year. Under the changes that will be introduced, these older people will lose further financial assistance that can make a positive difference to their lives.

“Relative income poverty amongst older people is increasing – 1 in 5 older people in Wales is now trapped in persistent poverty – and the loss of the free TV licence is will exacerbate this for many.

“I am therefore calling again on the UK Government to fulfil its manifesto commitment to maintain funding for free TV licences for people over the age of 75, which would allow the BBC to reverse its decision.”