Chief Minister Howard Quayle is set to make an announcement in the next few days on the outcome of talks to recoup the cost of ’free’ TV licences for the over-75s.

In the UK, the BBC is taking responsibility for funding free TV licences over a three-year period starting in April this year, with the Westminster government contributing two thirds of the cost in 2018-19, but nothing from 2020-21.

In Jersey, the BBC has agreed to partially fund the free TV licences for over-75s.

’Free’ TV licences for the over-75s were re-instated in the Isle of Man in autumn 2016, but that is done through the Manx Government refunding the relevant pensioners the amount paid for the TV licence.

It has been negotiating with the BBC to try to get it to part-fund the scheme.

At the end of last year, the re-funding arrangement had cost the Manx taxpayer £900,000 so far.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas told Tynwald on Wednesday: ’Cabinet Office officials, supported by officers from the Treasury, have been in telephone and email contact with senior officials at the BBC and in the UK Government during 2016-17 regarding over-75s TV licences.

’Although it has taken longer than may have been hoped, this contact has been very constructive and so no face-to-face meetings have been required.’

He added: ’Details are being finalised and the Chief Minister is hopeful that he will be able to make an announcement by the end of the month.’

The minister was responding to questions from David Cretney MLC, who also wanted to know whether any talks had taken place with the BBC over the ’fairer allocation’ of TV licensing funds. The BBC provides radio services in the Channel Islands, but not in the Isle of Man.

Mr Thomas said any such talks would follow the conclusion of a deal over the over-75s TV licence refund.

’Once matters are finalised in respect of the over-75s TV licences the Council of Ministers will be considering further issues on which it wishes to engage with the BBC, as the chief secretary recently advised the Tynwald select committee on public service broadcasting,’ he said.

That would include ’fairer funding’ allocations from the TV licence, he said.

Mr Cretney expressed frustration at the time it was taking to reach a conclusion on the over-75s situation.

’The taxpayers of the Isle of Man, because we are a less favourable position than those in the UK and the Channel Islands, are paying more than they should do,’ he said.

Juan Turner MLC said the problem was the Manx Government was effectively paying the BBC for TV licences that would be provided free elsewhere.

He added: ’The simplest thing to do is to show who is in control of the situation and inform the BBC that the over-75s in the Isle of Man should enjoy the same privileges as those in the UK.’

He said Tynwald could introduce a ’simple bill’ to exempt the over-75s.

Mr Turner asked whether the deal, when announced, would mean over-75s in the Isle of Man receiving free TV licences, or whether the Manx Government would still be paying for them.

Mr Thomas said: ’I am optimistic for a good announcement in the coming days and then there will be complete clarity about what arrangement will apply in the Isle of Man.’

As members sought more information on the deal being sought and also what the Manx Government considered to be a fairer overall licence fee deal from the BBC, Chief Minister Howard Quayle warned it could affect negotiations. He said: ’I don’t think discussing this in public, where it will be read and reported on accordingly, is a wise move.’