MOORE PRESSES GOVERNMENT OVER UNFAIRNESS OF SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME

7.09.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Mar 2007

Unfair to pensioners

Borders MP Michael Moore has pressed the Government over the unfairness of the scheme they have devised to help vulnerable and older viewers with digital television switchover.

During Scottish Questions in the House of Commons Chamber yesterday, Mr Moore challenged the Government to provide payments to people in these groups who are already converting their television sets without any support. At present there are no plans to give retrospective assistance when the scheme is finally established later this year.

In his response, the Minister suggested that people who are already converting may not need the assistance. However, he did promise to raise the issue when he meets the Director of Ofcom Scotland later this week.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Moore said:

"I will keep on pressing this point with the Government until they realise the folly, and the unfairness, of their decision. Hundreds, if not thousands, of viewers risk losing out on financial support if they follow the Government's own advice and begin preparing for digital switchover now.

"This assistance scheme has been badly thought out from the start. The legislation necessary to put it in place is still going through the parliamentary process, and special measures are now having to be implemented to cover the town of Whitehaven, which switches over in October.

"For months and months Borderers have been told to prepare for switchover. Indeed, over six months ago Digital UK stated 'they encourage people to switch over in good time as they do not want people to wait until the switch is thrown'. Older people and those in vulnerable groups are losing money by following this advice.

"What I am asking the Government to do is not rocket science - it would be straightforward to put in place a system to make retrospective payments."