North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson has demanded that the Tories honour their 2017 manifesto pledge to maintain free TV licences for the over-75s.

From, April 1, the colour licence fee increased to £154.50 a year.

All households with someone aged over 75 are currently entitled to receive free TV licences, funded by the UK Government to help tackle pensioner poverty and isolation.

The MP said despite their manifesto pledge, the Tories will cease this funding completely, pushing the cost onto the BBC, along with the decision on whether or not to maintain it.

Mrs Gibson added: “If free TV licences are scrapped in June 2020, more than 9,000 of my constituents will be affected. This policy is mean-spirited."