AN East Lancashire MP is calling on the government to provide free television licences for all pensioners.

Pendle's Gordon Prentice told Culture Secretary Chris Smith that waiving the annual fee at 75 was a "hugely popular policy" benefiting 6,500 of his constituents but it did not go far enough.

Mr Prentice said he was canvassing in a Lancashire County Council by-election when a number of pensioners said to him: "Is this not just age discrimination?"

He could only tell them "You will be 75 one day."

The Labour backbencher then asked in the House of Commons: "Why should such a hugely popular policy involve a cut-off at 75? Why should it not apply to all pensioner households?"

Mr Smith replied: "You should address part of your question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer."

But he added: "However, it should be pointed out that as pensioners reach a more advanced age they tend to become less mobile, to spend more time at home and, indeed, to spend more time watching television.

"At that point - the point where they reach to age of 75 - television becomes more important in their lives, which is why we thought it appropriate to take this step."

Speaking to the Press after the Commons session, Mr Prentice said: "I am afraid it is age discrimination and the concession should apply to all pensioners.

"However, this is much better than the old concessionary system."

The TV licence is currently £101 a year, but is due to go up to £104 next month.

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