Jim Mcmahon urges public to back petition over 75s TV licenses petition

Oldham MP Jim Mcmahon

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton has continued his attack on the Government for the BBC’s plans to cut TV licence obsessions for over 75s.

Jim points to that fact that millions across the country will suffer the economic and social consequences of this cut, stating that 3,700 older people in his constituency alone will be affected by the cuts. 

He said “Over 3,700 people in my constituency are about to feel the full force of this cut and not all of them will be able to withstand it without falling deeper into poverty. I last warned against this earlier this month, and without change thousands of people will suffer the economic and social consequences of this cut. Please sign this petition and lets change this” 

The petition, ran by Age UK, has already gathered over 570,000 signatures across the UK showing an appetite for the reinstatement of the concessions. 

Age UK commented stating “We believe this change will harm millions of older people who rely on their TV. Together, we must demand the Government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences.”

Mr McMahon continued on stating that “This decision is an outrage. We simply cannot allow this government to get away with another disguised welfare cut via the BBC and the free tv licenses. They claim austerity to be over, yet hit society from all sides, young old, poor, rich, everyone is now on the Tories hit list. They are in the pursuit of popularity amongst themselves at all cost. 

The fact this leadership debate is going to continue well into the summer while we are in the midst of a national crisis and with policy such as this to go ahead, is shameful to say the least.” 

Jim McMahon clearly wishes to see the Government U-turn on his decision to change the way the BBC is funded to not include Government funding for the concessions, and it seems many more back him. 

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