PLANS to scrap free television licences for Over 75s in 2020 has now created wide and bitter anger and rightly so.

No doubt that BBC will justly be criticised for their discussion paper describing the concession as no longer justified due to the over 75s being better off and the least likely age group to live in poverty.

This now seems strange as figures illustrate 1.9m OAPs still live in poverty including one in five amongst the over 75s. We are now told pensioners will be better off as the state pension will increase by £221 next year.

This suggested increase is very welcome, however, it does not alter the fact that the UK Government delivers the lowest state pension in the developed world.

Then of course we have the BBC Director General, Lord Hall, stating that 4.5 million over 75s receive a £150.50 TV licence, various options are being considered for change, such as removing free licences from those living with someone under 75, and of course, means testing. Little comfort here!

We, of course, should look at the full picture at the BBC where overpaid so called stars are draining the BBC resources.

It is high time for a serious review of their scandalous, inflated salaries and not on free TV licences for the over 75s.

However, the Tory Government are the real culprits on the free TV licence issue, the Government wanted rid of it.

There was then a crafty move from Chancellor George Osborne who forced the BBC to accept responsibility for free TV licences.

This would move free licenses from the Government welfare policy, placing it on the shoulders of the BBC.

This is obviously Government work and responsibility should be returned to the respective Government

department long before 2020.

JOE PATERSON,

Abbotsford Road,

Lochore.