Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas has given an assurance that Isle of Man over-75s will get the same free television licence provision as those in the UK.

About 5,300 households in the island currently qualify for the free television licence.

Mr Thomas (pictured right) told the House of Keys: ’The Isle of Man will have similar treatment to the UK residents. That is the political agreement. There is no risk to that.’

The BBC is changing how licence fees for the over-75s, which are free, will be funded.

In the UK, they are financed by a part government-funded scheme until 2020, after which the BBC is due to take on the full cost.

In the Isle of Man a cost-sharing agreement was negotiated and was due to last until 2022.

Earlier this year, Mr Thomas stated the BBC had an option to ’reform’ its arrangement with the Isle of Man once the UK arrangements change in June next year. At that time he also gave an assurance that the Manx Government could step in if necessary to prevent over-75s suddenly having to pay for their television licence.

The BBC has announced that only households in the UK which include a person over-75, in receipt of a pension credit, will be eligible for a free TV licence from June next year.

At present that does not apply to licence fee payers in the Isle of Man as the necessary legal provision has not yet been extended to the island.

Progress on granting the BBC that power has been delayed due to the impending general election in the UK.

Talks are taking place between the Manx government representatives and the BBC.

’The BBC has now confirmed that it will need to consult Isle of Man residents on this issue, which it anticipates will not be until the new year,’ he told MHKs on Tuesday.

’We have been clear that we expect parity with the UK from the BBC in respect of any funding for TV licences for over-75s in the island from June 2020.’