ALL pensioners should get a cheap TV licence costing just £5, East Lancashire MP Nigel Evans has told ministers.

He wants every senior citizen to get the discount given to those living in sheltered accommodation.

Speaking as MPs discussed the Broadcasting Bill in detail, the Ribble Valley Tory said: "There are a number of people who are aggrieved that they are being charged the full licence fee while people who live in sheltered accommodation only pay £5.

"If a simple system could be brought in I would hope that the government would grasp it with both hands.

"I have seen several pensioners in my surgeries and have received several letters from people who find it extremely difficult to find the money from their fixed incomes, some only earning a state pension, to pay the licence fee.

Mr Evans also wants the BBC to show their excellent 24-hour TV news service 'BBC World' after normal transmissions close down.

He said: "Their news coverage is excellent and it is admired throughout the world.

"I believe that it should have much wider coverage. It took years for BBC radio to transmit the World Service on Radio 4 at the end of their transmission time.

"The BBC should waste no time in giving this valuable resource to the public."

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