Treasury will review the policy of giving free TV licences to those 75 years old and above.

In a Tynwald sitting last week, Treasury Minister David Ashford said the department would look at income thresholds for that age bracket.

Currently the government is covering the cost of TV licences for over-75s, not just those on income support.

This move came after the Quayle administration guaranteed funding in the island.

The decision has now been made to extend universal provision of free TV licences for that age bracket for another year.

Garff MHK Daphne Caine asked whether Minister for the Cabinet Office Kate Lord-Brennan supports a continuation of free TV licences for people aged 75 and over, after a number of constituents had contacted her about their anxiety over the situation.

Ms Lord-Brennan said: ’That will be the case. There is however a question about whether the most affluent over 75s need TV licences.’

It was discussed that there may need to be a cap on the policy for people who fall in that age bracket and are on higher incomes.

She added that ’given the pressure on government finances’ the Treasury would need to review the policy to ’see if it’s best for us’ and the ’best use of our resources’.

The cost to cover this year’s TV licences was around £750,000.

The Treasury will review the policy of giving free TV licences to those 75 years old and above.

In a Tynwald sitting earlier this week, Treasury Minister David Ashford said the department would look at income thresholds for that age bracket.

Currently, the government is covering the cost of TV licences for over-75s, not just on income support, after the Quayle administration guaranteed funding in the island, allowing the new administration to consider the position in the future.

The decision has now been made to extend universal provision of free TV licences for that age bracket for another year.

Garff MHK Daphne Caine asked whether Minister for the Cabinet Office Kate Lord-Brennan supports a continuation of free TV licences for people aged 75 and over after a number of constituents had contacted her about their anxiety over the situation.

Ms Lord-Brennan said: ’That will be the case. There is however a question about whether the most affluent over 75s need TV licences.’

It was discussed that there may need to be a cap on the policy for people who fall in that age bracket and are on higher incomes.

She added that ’given the pressure on government finances’ the Treasury would need to review the policy to ’see if it’s best for us’ and the ’best use of our resources’.

The cost to cover this year’s TV licences was around £750,000.