DAME Helen Mirren has urged the next prime minister to restore free TV licences for all over-75s, calling the end of the universal entitlement “heartbreaking”.
From June next year, the benefit will be restricted to over-75s who claim pension credit, with the BBC saying it cannot afford to take on the financial burden from the Government.
Now Sir Lenny Henry, actress Amanda Redman, Gogglebox star June Bernicoff and Dame Helen are among 20 celebrities who have signed an open letter on the issue.
READ MORE: Petition calling on Government to fund free TV licences for over-75s exceeds 500,000 signatures
Oscar-winner Dame Helen, 73, said: “It’s just absolutely heartbreaking that so many older people are going to lose their free licence, when television plays such an important role in their lives.
“In many cases it acts as an important contact with the outside world.
“I would urge all those involved, including the Government, to do the right thing and to carry on funding free licences for all over-75s, the cost of which is surely a small price to pay for keeping so many vulnerable older people connected.”
Other star signatories to the letter, to be delivered to Conservative Party headquarters by Age UK, include Christopher Biggins, Angela Rippon, Lionel Blair, Ricky Tomlinson, Ben Fogle, Len Goodman and Lesley Joseph.
Miriam Margolyes, Kevin Whately, Nick Hewer, Matthew Wright, Levi Roots, Sylvia Syms, James Acaster and Ed Balls have also signed up.
The letter states: “We collectively urge the next prime minister, whoever that may be, to save free TV licences for the over-75s.”
READ MORE: 'Time to scrap TV licences in digital age'
Celebrities say they are “deeply worried about the poorest older people who are set to lose out” because of pension credit being under-claimed.
It says: “Responsibility for paying for free TV licences for the over-75s should never have been handed over to the BBC in the first place.
“It is the Government’s place to fund free TV licences and we call on the Government to think again and do what’s right for the oldest in our society. TV is their lifeline, their friend. Please don’t take it away from them.”
The BBC has come under fire for handing a number of its stars pay rises at the same time as the axing of the universal benefit.
READ MORE: Tories accused of breaking promise in free TV licence row
Age UK says it has received around 36,000 letters, which will also be delivered to Tory HQ, asking leadership hopefuls Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson to reconsider the Government’s decision to hand responsibility for the funding to the BBC.
A Government spokesman said: “We’re very disappointed with this decision. We’ve been clear that we want and expect the BBC to continue this concession.”
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