Island pensioners over 75 will be given free TV licences automatically from the start of April.

The Manx government has reached a deal with the BBC to change the current situation, which sees over-75s still have to pay for a television licence and then seek a refund of the money from the government.

From April, the licence will be issued to over-75s without any need to pay up front and seek reimbursement.

Currently the Isle of Man Government has to effectively meet the entire cost of licences for the over-75s, but it is understood there will be some sharing of that cost with the BBC in future.

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

In the UK, the BBC is taking responsibility for funding free TV licences for the over-75s 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.

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

The new arrangement will come into effect in the Isle of Man at the start of April, just as it does in the UK. Until then, anyone over-75 whose licence is due to expire will have to continue to pay for it and seek a refund.