Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson said applying for a TV licence for people with dementia could be especially difficult. According to the study commissioned by Labour from the House of Commons library, more than 552,000 elderly people with dementia could lose their free TV licences, including 140,000 who are over the age of 90.

The amount of people affected by the TV licence change with dementia was calculated by combining official population estimates with the prevalence of dementia by age group, which equals 682,000.

Of this amount, 19 percent on average received pension credit and are still entitled to a free TV licence.

The Alzheimer’s Society has called for more work to communicate the changes.

They said that television could be “a lifeline” for isolated older people.

Free TV licences were introduced in 1999, with the extra costs being funded by the Government.

In 2015, the Government said this should be phased out by 2020, and that the BBC should start funding the free licences instead which cost £745m a year.

The BBC has said that the sum is actually a fifth of their budget, meaning that to fund over-75s they will have to close channels to reduce costs.

From next June, the BBC will instead make over-75s pay the £154.50 annual fee unless they can show they claim the means-tested pension credit.

Mr Watson said: “It is a national scandal that over half a million older people living with dementia could have their free TV licences scrapped next year, despite a Tory manifesto promise that free licences would be protected.

“The process of applying and paying for a TV licence will be very difficult to many older people, and especially so for those living with dementia.

“This is a tragedy in the making for some of the vulnerable people in our communities. The prime minister should rethink his position and save free TV licences today.”

Head of policy at the Alzheimer’s Society Gavin Terry said: “We know from speaking to people affected by dementia that a TV can be a lifeline for many people who struggle to get out.

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“It’s vital that this change to TV licensing is rolled out in a way that is easy to access and understand for people with dementia and their carers, so they aren’t in the dark and can continue to remain connected to the community.

“Alzheimer’s Society is committed to preventing isolation of people with dementia, so we’re encouraging the BBC to communicate all options available to anyone affected, including pension credit.

“And we’d urge the BBC to work directly with people with dementia and voluntary organisations supporting them to help ensure everyone can stay tuned in.”

A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said they are disappointed with the BBC’s outcome.

“We’re disappointed with the BBC’s decision not to continue free licences for the over-75s.

“We’ve been clear that we want and expect it to continue this concession.

“We want every person with dementia, and their carers and families, to receive high-quality and compassionate care, and since 2012 have spent £433m to accelerate progress in early detection, improved treatment, prevention and care.”

However, the BBC said they will work closely with people over-75 who are vulnerable to help them receive a free TV licence.

A BBC spokesman said: “TV Licensing recognises that some people are vulnerable and it’s important to provide additional support and reasonable adjustments for these customers.

“We want to work very closely with organisations working with older people to offer as much help as we can and we know that customers may prefer a family member or carer to deal with their TV licence on their behalf, so we already have mechanisms in place to facilitate this.”

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