BOLTON MP David Crausby left is stepping up his fight to win concessionary television licences for all pensioners.

He says he is appalled by the fact that some old people in sheltered schemes get their viewing for just £5 a year while others have to pay the full £91.50 price.

This week he raised the issue with Arts Minister Mark Fisher who agreed the current system was poor, but said it would be too expensive to replace.

Bolton North East MP Mr Crausby asked Mr Fisher: "Do you agree that the concessionary television licence system is both unfair and over bureaucratic?

"Do you accept that it would make much more sense to deliver a consistent television licence concession to all pensioners of, say, 50 per cent, or at least to link the system to ability to pay?"

Mr Fisher told him: "I entirely agree. The concessionary scheme which we inherited is full of anomalies and causes a great deal of frustration and irritation to pensioners and others.

"I think that everybody would agree that it is highly imperfect and unsatisfactory. The distinct problem is that reforming it would simply create new anomalies and be hugely expensive - anything up to £450 million a year.

"The system is a classic example of a well intentioned concession leading to enormous unhappiness and problems. The best time to consider the matter will be when we very shortly look at all funding arrangements for the BBC."

Labour back-bencher Mr Crausby said: "I am continuing the fight for fair concessionary television licences for all pensioners.

"It is an absolute nonsense that those who moved into sheltered schemes after 1988 are treated differently from those who moved in before. It is time we had a consistently reduced television licence for all pensioners.

"The fact that registered blind people only get a £2 reduction from the full television licence of £91.50 is another indication that the entire system of concessionary licences is in a mess.

"While I absolutely accept that Labour inherited this dog's breakfast from the Conservatives, it is now my own government's responsibility and we should not run away from it.

"I started this campaign for justice for pensioners last September and I will continue to pursue this issue until it is resolved fairly."

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