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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that households with people over the age of 75 entitled to, but not in receipt of, pension credit exercise their entitlement to that benefit and continue to receive free TV licences.

The Government agreed with the BBC at the 2015 funding settlement that responsibility for the over 75s licence fee concession transfers to the BBC from June 2020. The BBC has decided to restrict the concession to those over 75 in receipt of Pension Credit, and has outlined a number of measures to keep those affected informed and encourage take up of Pension Credit. These measures include running outreach events and a public information campaign, and working with older people’s groups, charities and voluntary organisations. The Secretary of State told the House on 11 June that he will discuss with the BBC further measures the BBC can implement to help older pensioners, including promoting take up of Pension Credit.