THE Scottish Tories have refused to sign a letter asking Prime Minister Theresa May to step in and stop free TV licenses for over-75s being scrapped.

Leaders from four of Scotland's main political parties have signed the joint letter urging the Prime Minister to take action.

3 Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson refused to sign the letter Credit: EPA

The letter, organised by Labour, criticises plans to move from all over-75s being given a free licence to means-testing from next year.

The letter states: "Cutting access to the free TV licence will be cutting many pensioners off from their main connection to wider society.

"Millions of elderly and isolated people - hundreds of thousands here in Scotland - will suffer because of this cut."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie all joined forces to sign the letter.

3 Ruth Davidson said she had already made her position clear Credit: Alamy Live News

Tory leader Ruth Davidson was asked to sign but declined.

The party said she had already made her position clear that free TV licences for over-75s should be protected.

Mr Leonard said: "It is telling that we have cross-party support for this intervention to keep free TV licences with the sole exception of Ruth Davidson and the Tories. Scotland's pensioners will not forget."

He added: "The Tories have broken their promise to pensioners, and they must reverse the decision to scrap free TV licences now."

SNP leader Ms Sturgeon said: "We vehemently oppose the decision that the BBC has been forced to take because of the cynical actions of the Tory Government.

3 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signed the letter

"The UK Government should not be shifting the burden of their welfare cuts onto the BBC - with the costs being met out of pensioners' pockets."

Funding the free licences, which have been available to all over-75s for nearly two decades, is due to be transferred from the UK Government to the BBC next year.

The BBC has said free licences will be means-tested under a new scheme which aims to protect programming while dealing with the extra funding burden.

Free licences will be restricted to over-75s who claim Pension Credit from June 1 2020.

MOST READ IN POLITICS furlough 2.0 Rishi announces furlough plan where workers get 77% pay for doing 1/3 hours Latest DOWN TO BUSINESS Chancellor to launch 'furlough replacement' tomorrow as Budget CANCELLED Exclusive RISHI BLOWS THE BUDGET Chancellor to extend furlough for staff worst hit by new covid rules SHORT SHARP LOCK Boris could impose two-week lockdown - with pubs to shut within DAYS 'OFF THE WALL' Sturgeon laughs off wild rumours of 'exotic double life' after parly gossip YOU TWIT Annie Wells sends 'spot on' tweet to herself after forgetting to switch accounts

A Scottish Tory spokesman said: "Ruth has already made her position on this matter known - both privately to senior colleagues in the UK Government - and publicly when asked during a TV interview this week.

"The Scottish Conservatives strongly believe that TV licences for the over-75s should be protected.

"We believe the BBC have taken the wrong decision and will continue to argue this position."

Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson says she's never tried cocaine as it would 'make her too CHATTY'

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200