A petition calling for free TV licences for ALL state pensioners who are over age 66 has reached 50,000 signatures. The petition is halfway to securing a major Labour Party government debate - with MPs forced to debate the issue if it gets to 100k names.

The petition titled ' Fund free TV licences for all pensioners' explains: " We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age. When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence."

Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession.

"We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit. Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries."

A government response says: "The BBC is a vital British asset and makes a huge contribution to lives up and down the country. It supports our democracy, brings our communities together, and helps to shape and define our nation through telling stories about the lives of people in all parts of the UK."