Free television licences for over-75s in the Isle of Man need not depend on BBC funding.

That was the argument made by an MHK in Tynwald this week, as members debated the implications of the corporation’s announcement it was scrapping universal free TV licences for the over-75s.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said talks with the BBC had begun but he adopted a ’wait and see’ stance.

At present the UK law that will allow for any future concessions in the TV licence does not extend to the Isle of Man, even though the current arrangement allows the BBC to part-fund the free TV licences in the island.

But Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) said whatever the BBC decided, the Isle of Man had previously made a commitment to ensure over-75s do not have to pay for their TV licence.

He said: ’Tynwald resolved in 2016 that as a matter of policy, TV licences for the over-75s should be universally free. It was not contingent on any funding at that time from the BBC.’

He argued the decision on BBC funding was ’entirely separate’ from the policy decision made by Tynwald.

’What exactly is it that is up for review at this point?’

But Mr Quayle argued it was ’obvious’ what was different and the government should wait to see if a deal could be struck before deciding to go back to footing the bill in full.

’This year we are getting £480,000 towards the cost of delivering this strategy,’ said Mr Quayle.

’It costs about £850,000 so the taxpayer on the Isle of Man has saved £450,000. The previous year it was £250,000.’

He added: ’I would expect all members to support the stance that we wait and see, rather than squander taxpayers’ money just to keep the honourable member for Ramsey happy. Let’s wait and see and if we have to pay the full amount, then fine, but let’s see where we go on this.’

In 2018, the Manx Government reached a deal with the BBC to change the previous situation, which saw over-75s in the island having to pay for a television licence and then seek a refund, with the Manx Government meeting the entire cost of those refunds.

After the cost-sharing deal was struck with the BBC, TV licences were issued to over-75s without any need to pay up front and seek reimbursement.

Announcing the cut in the universal free-licence for over-75s, the BBC said households where someone received a pension credit would still qualify for a free TV licence.

At present that only applies to the UK. However, Mr Quayle the Manx Government had told the BBC it expects parity for pensioners in the Isle of Man.

He added: ’It will be a matter for the IoM Government to determine whether we supplement any concession funded by the BBC for over-75s in the island.’

The issue was raised initially by both Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) and David Cretney MLC, who said he supported the Manx Government in its efforts to in terms of ’making sure that Isle of Man citizens are treated equally to their counterparts elsewhere, as they were in time of war’.