WREXHAM'S MP has blasted the scrapping of free TV licences for the over-75's.

The BBC announced this week free TV licences for up to 3.7m pensioners were being scrapped, as under new rules from 2020, only low-income households where one person receives the pension credit benefit will still be eligible for a free licence.

It follows the Government’s decision to pass responsibility for funding the scheme to the broadcaster.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has described it as a "shocking decision" and says this will have a hugely negative impact for thousands of elderly residents across the county.

He said: "The Tory UK Government is ultimately responsible for this shocking decision, because they forced the cost of paying for the free licences on to the BBC – something Labour was completely opposed to.

"Today's news will result in veterans, centenarians and millions of other UK pensioners - including thousands in Wrexham - having to pay for a TV licence.

"I urged Theresa May to take responsibility last October but she ignored me. It's a disgraceful situation."

In February it was revealed that more than 4,600 pensioners in Wrexham could lose their free TV licences next year,

Mr Lucas said this would impact many who rely on their TV for company adding that the government were breaking a promise in their 2017 general election manifesto to protect free TV licences until 2022.

Mr Lucas said: “The Tory Government knew what it was doing when it forced the cost of paying for free licences for over 75s out to the BBC – something Labour was completely opposed to. It will be a terrible blow to older people who already struggle to make ends meet.

Figures produced for the Labour Party by the House of Commons Library show that there are 4,650 households in Mr Lucas’ Wrexham constituency with someone aged 75 or older.

With free TV licences now set to be means tested,around 3,400 pensioners in the Wrexham area are going to lose out.