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<p>In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility
for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020.</p><p> </p><p>On 10 June
2019, the BBC announced that the current scheme will end. From 1 June 2020, a free
TV licence will only be available to a household with someone aged over 75 who receives
Pension Credit.</p><p> </p><p>The cost to the public purse for providing free TV licences
to those aged over 75 in the North West region in 2018/19 is estimated as £52m. Unlike
in previous years, in 2018/19 free TV licences for those aged 75 and over were <em>partially</em>
funded by DWP as agreed at the 2015 funding settlement and leading to the BBC taking
responsibility for funding and policy from June 2020. The figure of £52m is the DWP’s
share only, not the total expenditure.</p><p> </p><p>The table below provides estimates
of the costs and caseloads for 2017/18 of providing free TV licences to people aged
75 years and over in Wallasey constituency and Merseyside local authority.</p><p>
</p><p>The most recent figures available for parliamentary constituency and local
authority are for 2017/18. Figures for 2018/19 will be available later this month.</p><p>
</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Expenditure (£m) (Nominal)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p><strong>2017-18</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>(a) Wallasey
constituency</strong></p></td><td><p>£1.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>(b) </strong><strong>Merseyside</strong>
<strong>metropolitan county</strong></p></td><td><p>£14.9</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
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