The concession under which Isle of Man residents aged 75 or over are given a free TV licence is to end with effect from 1st September 2016.

However, those in receipt of income support will still be eligible for help under a local scheme.

Ending the free TV licence on a universal basis was approved by Tynwald as part of the February 2015 Budget.

Bill Henderson MLC, political member of the Treasury with responsibility for Social Security, said: ‘Since the beginning of 2002, anyone aged 75 or over has been eligible to receive a free TV licence, irrespective of their means. The same arrangement exists in the UK. However, the cost to the taxpayer of ?700,000 a year is no longer affordable and cannot be justified.’

Mr Henderson explained: ‘However, pensioners who receive income support are eligible to have the cost of their TV licence paid for through an existing social security scheme. We will shortly be writing to those who receive income support to tell them this and how to get help under that scheme. We will also be writing to the over 75s who don’t get income support, encouraging those on low incomes to make enquiries about their potential entitlement to income support, and therefore potentially accessing help with paying for their TV licences too.’

For those over 75 whose licences are due to be renewed in September, the BBC will issue TV licence renewal notices earlier that month.

Information about ways to pay for a TV licence can be found at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/payinfo or by calling 0300 790 6127. To make weekly or monthly cash payments call 0300 555 0300.