THE MP for the Vale of Clwyd has urged residents to report their opinions on “scandalous” TV licence fees set to be introduced for over 75s.

MP Chris Ruane said the BBC’s decision to scrap the free TV licence which it has provided to the age group since 2000 “will hit millions of older and isolated people”.

The BBC announced the decision on June 10 after a five-month consultation that started last September. It concluded that free licences should only be given to over 75s who receive pension credit as of June 1, 2020.

Bernadette Johnston, manager of Home Instead Care Denbighshire and Conwy, which provides at home care in the counties said the decision to end free TV licences will "have a detrimental effect on people for whom TV is a lifeline".

The BBC’s digital, culture, media and sport committee is set to hold its one-off evidence sessions that examine its annual report, which will include the TV licence.

Mr Ruane said that Vale of Clwyd constituents should write in to the session. He said: “The removal of the free tv license for over 75s is a scandalous decision. Around three million households would lose their free TV licence as a result.

“Although the decision is being made by the BBC it is being overseen by the Conservative government which made a manifesto promise to protect this policy.

“This decision will hit millions of older and isolated people and needs to be reversed by the government as soon as possible.”

The new scheme comes into effect when the BBC takes over funding of the free TV licences from the UK Government, following a funding deal in 2015.

In 2017/18 the cost of the concession was around £660 million, expected to rise to £745 million in 2021/22.

The public service broadcaster received criticism last week when it revealed that its salary bill for presenters rose by £11million in 2018.

Mrs Johnston added: The decision to end free TV licences will most definitely have a detrimental effect on people for whom TV is a lifeline.

"It will mean that many of our clients who work their lives around their TV will not be able to have one.

"It will cause distress and upset to them and their families and I urge people to write in to the session."

To submit comments yourself or with the help of your carer, visit www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/inquiry5/commons-written-submission-form/

The deadline is Friday, July 12.