MPs have racked up a bill of £323,104 after claiming £154.50 for the BBC TV licence since 2010, according to figures published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa). Culture secretary Jeremy Wright is one claimant who was given a free licence for his London flat until 2015. He has also claimed another for his constituency office in Kenilworth, near Coventry, since 2016. 

This is despite Mr Wright being critical of the BBC for its plans to scrap free licences for many people over-75. 

George McNamara, from the charity Independent Age, said it was unfair that some MPs were enjoying the perk that a lot of people will soon miss out on.

He told the Sunday Times: “Pensioners will see this as extremely insulting. “It seems there’s one rule for the MPs and another for them.”

MPs are able to claim for a TV licence in their constituency office, according to Ipsa. 

They were also eligible for a free license for their second home until 2016. 

More than 700,000 people have signed petitions calling for the government to keep TV licences free for people over 75. 

Under the new rules, only low-income households where one person receives the pension credit benefit will still be eligible for a free licence.

A group of pensioners also protested outside the BBC’s Nottingham office yesterday. 

Sue Pearse, 71, from Calverton, said the plans were “mean”, as some over-75s would not be able to afford it. 

She told Nottinghamshire Live: “It is not necessarily about the money, it is the slyness of it.

“One week they’re saluting our veterans and the following Monday they take away their right to a free TV licence. It is just mean.

“Where have our country’s moral values gone? Some will not be able to afford this.”

Clive Middleton, of Gedling, added: “I am 75 next year. I have worked all my life and now I feel like I will turn 75 and it is the start of pensioners losing what little they have left.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We appreciate that people feel strongly about this issue, and recognise that many people have signed the Age UK petition calling on the Government to restore funding for free TV licences.

“We know pensioner poverty is an important issue, and that’s why we’re ensuring the poorest older pensioners continue to get a free licence, while avoiding the closure of major services which would be necessary if we were to meet the £745 million-a-year cost.

“We have written to charities and older people’s groups to work together to ensure the poorest older pensioners know how to claim Pension Credit. We hope that pensioners will consider claiming as they could then be eligible for around £2,500 and other benefits as well as a free TV licence.”

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