TV licence scheme gets approval

Wed, 16 Nov 2016

A scheme to make TV licences free for over 75s has been given the go-ahead by the Island's parliament.

Tynwald agreed to abolish the charge for the elderly last month before passing a scheme to fund the move at its November sitting.

However, Treasury Minister Alf Cannan warns that it's a short-term fix, and will cost the Government around £600,000 per year.

Since September, those aged 75 and over have had to pay for their TV licences after the previous administration refused to fund them.

Those who have already had to pay for the licence will now be able to seek a refund.

In the UK, the BBC funds TV licences for older people.