LABOUR say the Conservatives' decision to scrap free TV licences will cost over-75s almost a billion pounds. 

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, 4.4 million households have lost entitlement to a free TV licence. 

On top of rising energy bills, food and petrol costs, Labour says many will struggle to afford the extra £159 a year, raising concern they may choose to go without a TV.

The South East is the hardest-hit region, with 700, 000 households losing entitlement to a free TV licence.

This is followed by the South West, North West and east of England, each with more than 450,000 pensioners no longer entitled. 

Despite promising in 2017 to maintain free TV licences for pensioners, the Conservatives transferred responsibility to the BBC, ending the universal benefit. 

Since August 2020, free TV licences have only been available to people in receipt of Pensioner Credit. 

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Powell said: “The Tory cost of living crisis is hitting pensioners. 

“On top of rising energy bills and food prices, many will not be able to afford to keep the TV on, risking isolation and loneliness in old age. 

“The government should support people through the cost-of-living crisis with Labour’s plan for a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits, rather than piling on tax rises and buy now, pay later energy schemes. Labour is on your side.”

A government spokesman told The Mirror: "The BBC should be supporting people affected by its decision to stop funding free licence fees for the over-75s and treat them with the utmost sensitivity.

"To support families in the face of rising living costs, we have frozen the cost of a licence fee for two years, are increasing the threshold in which National Insurance Contributions are made, reducing fuel duty by 5p per litre and providing £500m through the household support fund."