KEIGHLEY MP John Grogan says the Government should take back responsibility for free TV licences for the over-75s.

He was speaking during a Commons debate on the issue.

Mr Grogan says there are 6,680 households in his constituency, which includes Ilkley, with pensioners aged over 75.

"Under the Digital Economy Act – made law in 2017 – the Government has passed responsibility for the free TV licences to the BBC from 2020," he said.

"But the cost would mean the broadcaster having to cut 20 per cent off its budget."

Michael Ellis, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, said the Government and the BBC agreed in 2015 that responsibility for the over-75s concession would transfer to the broadcaster in June next year.

"We have been clear for some time that the future of the concession is entirely the BBC's decision," he added.

"It is for the BBC to decide whether it wants to maintain the current concession or take a different path."