Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on exempting from the TV licence fee people over the age of 75 who are registered as partially sighted.

The Government is deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC. The Government has said that the BBC must do more to support older people.

However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the over-75s concession is the responsibility of the BBC, including whether it is extended to people aged over 75 and who are partially sighted.

TV Licence concessions are also available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old. There are no further concessions available for people with disabilities or other health conditions, and we are not considering changes to the current concessions regime at this time.