More than 240,000 people have signed a petition opposing the BBC's 'shameful' decision to scrap free TV licences for 3.7million over-75s, as a devastated pensioner said it would sever a 'vital lifeline for millions like me'.

As hashtags like '#axethetax' spread on Twitter, Age UK petition 'save free TV for older people' racked up more than 240,000 signatures by 11.30pm, while a similar one on the UK Parliament website got upwards of 41,000.

Meanwhile, more than 115,000 have also taken to the Parliament site to call for the license fee to be abolished altogether - meaning the issue will now be considered for a debate in the Commons.

As some called for a BBC boycott, pensioners shared their stories about the impact of the cut, with Susanna Reid fighting back tears on Good Morning Britain as an elderly woman begged her to stop the BBC snatching away her main source of entertainment.

Another pensioner, David, 84, said there were 'millions like me' who would suffer because of the move.

'The TV is a vital lifeline for me… and I’m not alone, there are millions of us who are in exactly the same situation,' he said. ‘If the TV was withdrawn they would vegetate. That’s a very serious situation and it puts a very great cost on the NHS. That’s what they need to think through.'

Attendees at the National Pensioners' Convention in Blackpool today protested the BBC's decision to abolish free licence fees for millions of over-75s

The move to means test licence fees for the over-75s sparked fury on social media, with many branding the move a 'disgrace'

David, 84, said there were 'millions like me' who would suffer because of the move

What does the BBC spend its money on? The BBC Annual Report and Accounts for 2017/18 shows what the corporation spends its money on. The following is spent on TV: BBC One- £1.2bn BBC Two- £481.2 million BBC Four- £52.3 million CBBC- £96.1 million CBeebies - £43.4 million BBC ALBA- £10.7 million BBC News Channel - £68.2 million BBC Parliament - £10.1 million The BBC pays a combined £655.6 million for radio, that includes Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 and services in Scotland and Wales. The cost for the BBC Online website and the red button service is £290.3 million. Some of the other services the BBC spends money on are as follows: Orchestras and performing groups - £32.2 million Development Spend - £57.3 million BBC World Service Grant - £70.5 million BBC World Service Operating Licence - £268.3 million Building a new EastEnders Albert Square set - £86 million Advertisement

Director-General Tony Hall announced the proposal yesterday, calling it a 'difficult' decision but one that was 'fairest to the poorest' as those receiving Pension Credit would still be eligible for a free licence.

Attendees at the National Pensioners' Convention in Blackpool protested the BBC's decision today by holding up a banner reading 'save our free TV licence'.

Earlier, Piers Morgan weighed into the debate, branding it 'an utter disgrace' that D-Day veterans face a charge.

Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood predicting that one million veterans would be affected by the cut, which Tory leadership contenders Esther McVey, Matt Hancock and Andrea Leadsom also condemned.

Others pointed out the BBC's whopping outlay on salaries, which last year was £148million for presenters alone, with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker topping the bill with a pay packet of £1.8m.

Director-General Tony Hall announced the move yesterday, calling it a 'difficult' decision but one that was 'fairest to the poorest' as those receiving Pension Credit would still be eligible for a free licence.

The move will save the BBC £495m from 2021, but leave 3.7m pensioners without free television. In contrast, the £290.3m bill for the BBC website and red button service in 2017/18 could fund more than 1.9m free licences.

Twitter users called for a boycott of the BBC until the decision is reversed, while angry pensioners said they would be left unable to pay.

Many critics of the BBC's move to scrap automatic free TV licences for over-75s pointed out the BBC's huge salary bill. Gary Lineker (left) received £1.8million last year and Fiona Bruce £190,000

Presenter Graham Norton received a £600,000 salary last year. He is pictured filming the Graham Norton Show on June 6

'Susan' tweeted: 'Boycott the BBC, they are a disgrace... all 75 year olds should be exempt from paying the licence fee.'

Andy Barton said: 'Imagine making over 75s, (most of whom are living on an embarrassingly low pension) pay for their TV licence fee.

'The one thing that connects them to the world when they can't get out and about as they once used to is television. It's an absolute disgrace. #tvlicense #bbc.'

Kev Simmons added: 'Yep, cos it's fair my mum on her state pension, who hasn't got the tech knowledge to just use Netflix, and has watched Corrie etc for years, pays not only for these people but also so the BBC can broadcast free around the world...#axethetax.'

What Tory leadership contenders have said about the scandal So far Esther McVey, Matt Hancock and Andrea Leadsom are the only three Tory leadership campaigners who have spoken out against the BBC's move to remove free licence fees from most over-75s. However, while they have criticised the BBC, none have promised to begin funding licence fees if they became Prime Minister. Ms McVey tweeted: 'As someone who used to work for the BBC I am ashamed of them for this decision. 'Our 'public service broadcaster' who has forgotten the public they are supposed to serve. Agree with @RuthDavidsonMSP & @GMB campaign.' Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky: 'I think this decision by the BBC was a mistake because I don't think we should be putting extra burdens on pensioners. 'Ultimately over the next few years the distinction between what is a TV and what is a computer is collapsing, in the future there won't be a distinction. 'This is all a short-term debate, the big debate is how do you have a national broadcaster in the era of the internet?' Ex-Commons leader Mrs Leadsom said: 'I think that's unacceptable. 'It's a commitment in the Conservatives' manifesto and we need to find a way to reverse that.' Advertisement

Meanwhile Val, 81, a widow from Kent, said: 'I'm disgusted, to say the least, as the BBC programming is so much repeats that I rarely watch the BBC channels, but I will still have to pay for a licence.

'I live in flats with neighbours of a similar age, and many residents are unable to go out, so TV is a lifeline. Those of us who have saved for our retirement are again being made to lose out.'

Piers Morgan raised the licence fee scandal on Good Morning Britain this morning, and received a flood of angry messages from viewers.

He tweeted: ‏'So we're going to make D-Day veterans pay £154 for their TV licences? What an absolute disgrace. Shame on you, BBC.'

Tobias Ellwood retweeted the post, adding the response: 'Exactly: We have around 1,000,000 vets over the age of 75. #letsrethinkthis.'

The government used to cover the bill for free TV licences, but the responsibility was handed to the BBC in 2015.

This had saddled the broadcaster with a bill of at least £745m from 2021, rising to more than £1billion by 2029. In return, the Government gave the BBC permission to either limit or remove the entitlement.

The BBC announced yesterday that it had decided to restrict free TV licences to poorer pensioners receiving Pension Credit from June 1, 2020 – a move that will still cost it £250m a year.

An estimated 1.2 million households will now be eligible for the free TV licence, with around 3.7 million pensioners expected to lose out.

The changes will give the BBC a total saving of £495m from 2021.

The government used to cover the bill for free TV licences, but the responsibility was handed to the BBC in 2015.

More than 140,000 sign Age UK petition against move - while thousands demand TV licences be scrapped altogether Age UK - An Age UK petition calls on the BBC to reinstate free licenses for over-65s, because they say the plans would harm millions of older people who rely on their TV. 'Together, we must demand the Government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences,' it said. Current signatories - More than 240,000 Parliamentary petitions - One petition, by Jane Mackinnon, calls on the TV licence to be abolished altogether. The petition already got more than 115,000 signatures - more than the 100,000 needed for a debate in Parliament. The petition states: 'The quality of BBC programmes do not reflect the price of the TV license. It is far too expensive for the majority of people and should be abolished.' Another one calling for the free TV licence to continue to be funded has reached more than 41,000 signatures. Advertisement

This had saddled the broadcaster with a bill of at least £745million from 2021, rising to more than £1billion by 2029. In return, the Government gave the BBC permission to either limit or remove the entitlement.

The BBC announced yesterday that it had decided to restrict free TV licences to poorer pensioners receiving Pension Credit from June 1, 2020 – a move that will still cost it £250million a year.

Tory leadership contender Esther McVey led calls for the BBC to reverse the move.

She tweeted: 'As someone who used to work for the BBC I am ashamed of them for this decision.

'Our 'public service broadcaster' who has forgotten the public they are supposed to serve. Agree with @RuthDavidsonMSP & @GMB campaign.'

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky: 'I think this decision by the BBC was a mistake because I don't think we should be putting extra burdens on pensioners.

'Ultimately over the next few years the distinction between what is a TV and what is a computer is collapsing, in the future there won't be a distinction.

'This is all a short-term debate, the big debate is how do you have a national broadcaster in the era of the internet?'

They joined Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who told the Good Morning Britian: 'If GMB are going to mount a campaign on this, then sign me up as the first person to back it because television is the window to the world for people that can't go there themselves, including people who are elderly.

'It's not just a friend when you're lonely, it's not just intellectual stimulation, it's also a way to reach out and see things and, like Susanna (Reid), if I was asked to pay a few pounds more to help make sure that free TV licences are maintained for people over the age of 75, I would willingly pay it.'

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson branded the burden placed on pensioners an 'outrage' and activists for the elderly warned that the move will directly affect the 'sick and disabled'.

Claudia Winkleman (left) is the highest paid female star of the BBC with a salary of £379,999. Meanwhile, the BBC refuse to disclose how much it costs for the army of hundreds of staff that cover Glastonbury festival every year, claiming it would breach EU human rights laws. Pictured right is Jo Wiley at the festival

As hashtags like '#axethetax' spread on Twitter, Age UK petition 'save free TV for older people' racked up more than 240,000 signatures by 4.00pm

Twitter users insisted all over-75s should be able to watch BBC services for free

'My TV is company for me': Pensioners blast 'totally unjustifiable' move Many elderly people not on Pension Credit said they would not be able to afford the extra charge. Val, 81, a widow from Kent, said: 'I'm disgusted, to say the least, as the BBC programming is so much repeats that I rarely watch the BBC channels, but I will still have to pay for a licence. 'I live in flats with neighbours of a similar age, and many residents are unable to go out, so TV is a lifeline. Those of us who have saved for our retirement are again being made to lose out.' Evelyn, 98, from Woking, said: 'Both my children work, so I am on my own all day. I have very poor balance thus cannot walk, and I no longer drive, so the TV is company for me. 'Over time my pension has not kept pace with inflation, so I have to be particularly frugal. I would probably have to say no to a TV licence. James Underwood, 81, from Wiltshire, criticised former Chancellor George Osborne for refusing to fund the licence fee for over-75s and passing the cost on to the BBC. 'This charge will only just be covered by the increase in my statutory state pension,' he said. 'I do feel that the Government has welshed on the original deal.' Haydn Richard Watkins, 82, from Hampshire, said: 'George Osborne's decision to make the BBC responsible for what should clearly be a responsibility of government was, and remains, totally unjustifiable.' Advertisement

The BBC has established a reputation for being profligate over the years, lurching from spending scandal to spending scandal.

Last year alone it spent £148million on presenter pay, with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker topping the bill by taking home £1.8million.

It also lavished licence fee payer cash on behind-the-scenes staff. More than 100 of them are paid more than the Prime Minister, according to the most recent annual report.

Some of its biggest earners have such nonsensical job titles, that most members of the public will have little idea of what they actually do.

In 2017, the Corporation said it had paid between £150,000 and £200,000 a year to its 'integration lead' Richard Smith and 'identity architect' Colin Brown.

BBC bosses defend its spending on talent, arguing that it needs to compete with rivals for the best staff.

However, they would be hard-pressed to justify many of the other costs they rack up. The BBC wasted £200,000 of licence fee payer's money on taxi, train and hotel bookings that were never used between 2015 and 2018. According to the Sun on Sunday, bosses paid £172,000 for 3,418 rail tickets, £15,000 on 944 taxi trips and £32,000 for 233 hotel rooms that were cancelled.

The BBC was unable to claim refunds on any of them. The Corporation also seems to be remarkably bad at finding flights that are good value for money.

Last year, an unnamed BBC boss spent £9,000 on a return flight to Miami – which wasn't even first class.

Business class flights costing £3,000 less than this were easily found by reporters.

The Miami trip was one of 20 eye-watering fares for back office staff for the 12 months to December, which together cost nearly £100,000.

The BBC tweeted to explain the changes and what they mean for the over 75s

BBC Director-General Tony Hall said of the changes: 'This has not been an easy decision'

Tory leadership contender Esther McVey led calls for the BBC to reverse the move

Susanna Reid fights back the tears speaking to elderly victim of BBC's decision to stop free TV licences as Piers Morgan offers to pay for veteran Susanna Reid broke down this morning as an elderly woman begged her to stop the BBC snatching away her main source of entertainment as Piers Morgan pledged to pay for a veteran's TV licence. The Good Morning Britain presenter and co-host Piers used today's show to demand the broadcaster reverse its decision to scrap free TV licences for the over-75s, branding it an 'outrage'. It came as Piers called on politicians to join their campaign against the decision, saying: 'Shame on the BBC for doing this, they should be forced to do a U-turn and cave on this.' He raged at the decision as he pointed out that veterans who have just been honoured for their bravery on D-Day would be among those hit. 'So we're going to make D-Day veterans pay £154 for their TV licences?' he tweeted. 'What an absolute disgrace. Shame on you, BBC.' The presenters encouraged people to call in and share their disgust as they called on the corporation to rethink the move. Pensioner Josephine urged the broadcaster to 'get in the real word' during a phone-in as she told the presenter it will hit her husband particularly hard and accused the corporation of targeting elderly people. When asked if she had a message for Tony Hall, Josephine branded the director-general 'old fashioned' and slammed him for 'penalising the elderly'. As Susanna called the move an 'outrage', she told the caller: 'My heart breaks for you.' Piers Morgan branded the scrapping of the licence fee 'terrible' as Susanna Reid said it was an 'outrage' while Josephine cried to them on the phone While she fought back tears, Piers called on the 10 contenders for the Conservative Party leadership to make clear what they would do as Prime Minister. Josephine left fans of the show in tears as they took to Twitter to express sympathy for her and others. One wrote: 'Well Josephine on Good Morning Britian #GMB has made me cry. That's a reality.' Another tweeted: 'Listening to pensioners on @GMB reduced to tears because the @BBC are taking away their lifeline is utterly heartbreaking.' Susanna Reid broke down on Good Morning Britain today as Josephine described the impact scrapping the licence would have on her husband Other viewers raged against the decision and the impact it will have on military veterans as Piers Morgan pledged to pay the TV licence fee for a D-Day veteran who flirted with Melania Trump during the US President's state visit. Thomas Cuthbert, a guest on yesterday's show, is among those who face losing out. The 93-year-old joked with Donald Trump 'if I was 20 years younger' when he met the president and First Lady. After his remarks hit headlines, the veteran told the show's presenters that he had no idea what came over him. Pictured: Thomas Cuthbert meets President Trump and First Lady Melania. He hit headlines during the state visit for saying 'if I was 20 years younger' Carole Monk (far-left), daughter of Thomas Cuthbert (pictured on yesterday's Good Morning Britain) told today's show that he faces difficult decisions before Piers pledged to pay his licence for him His daughter told the show today: 'He's going to be pretty angry - the veterans, all the elderly depend on the TV. It's their lifeline. It makes you wonder what they are going to do next to them.' As she feared that her father would have to make difficult decisions abotu hsi money despite the family helping out, Piers said: 'I will pay his TV licence as long as he needs. 'Whatever happens - he moved us so much. Take it from me - I will pay for his licence.' Advertisement

Who used to cover the cost of free TV licences and when did politicians pass the cost onto the BBC? The Department for Work and Pensions used to shoulder the bill for free TV licences, but the responsibility was handed to the BBC in 2015. This had saddled the broadcaster with a bill of at least £745million from 2021, rising to more than £1billion by 2029. In return, the Government gave the BBC permission to either limit or remove the entitlement. The BBC announced yesterday that it had decided to restrict free TV licences to poorer pensioners – a move that will still cost it £250million a year. The corporation said the change was needed to avoid 'profoundly damaging closures' to services and channels. Although 900,000 households are on pension credit another 600,000 do not take advantage of the benefit – either through stigma or fear of excessive paperwork. Were they to start claiming – allowing them a free licence – the Treasury's £5.4billion bill for pension credit could soar. Under the new rules elderly women will be particularly at risk of being dragged through the courts – and potentially to jail – because they are convicted of licence fee evasion more frequently than men. According to the most recent data, 184,595 Britons were charged with non-payment of the TV licence in 2016. Around 140,000 were taken to court, 21,300 of which were found not guilty and 90 people were jailed for failing to pay court-issued fines. Advertisement

The BBC claims that a lot of its travel arrangements have to be made last minute to accommodate its executives' busy schedules.

But they keep some spending strictly under wraps. They refuse to disclose how much it costs for the army of hundreds of staff that cover Glastonbury festival every year, claiming it would breach EU human rights laws.

However, it has admitted to lavishing money on holidays for its stars. In 2016, it spent around £5,000 on a pair of business class flights for Undercover actress Sophie Okonedo and her boyfriend. They used them to go wine tasting and whale watching in Cape Town after she had finished filming in Johannesburg.

However, these sums pale in comparison to the huge sums the Corporation has overspent on landmark projects.

In 2013, it was forced to cancel its 'Digital Media Initiative', having spent £100million. It also blew £12.5million on the BBC Store, a download service supposed to bring in millions by cashing in on viewers' nostalgia. It closed after just over a year.

Its building projects have also been a disaster for the coffers. In 2015, the NAO censured the BBC over its £1billion London headquarters, which went £107million over budget.

A BBC spokesman said: 'The BBC is assessed as one of the most efficient telecoms and media companies and by significantly cutting running costs we've made sure as much money as possible goes straight into programmes which audiences love.'

'Can the BBC justify taking an elderly, vulnerable pensioner to court if they don't pay up?' How politicians and charities reacted to the move

Politicians and charities rounded on the BBC today for its decision to strip millions of over-75s of their free TV licences.

An estimated 4.6million households currently escape the £154.50 annual charge.

But from next June the exemption will be available only to those on pension credit, a benefit claimed by 900,000 low-income households.

MPs said the most vulnerable now faced being dragged to court if they did not realise they had to buy a licence – or could not afford one.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: 'We have to ask whether the BBC can justify taking a frail, housebound, elderly pensioner to court for not possessing a TV licence that for years she has had for free?

'And then not only having the power to ask for a fine of £1,000 with legal costs on top, but also to have the power if she doesn't pay or can't pay, to ask the courts to send her to prison?'

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown (pictured) warned that the changes could push pensioners into criminality and be a 'taxation without representation'

Labour MP Kate Hoey claimed the change would fuel calls for the licence fee to be abolished altogether

The Department for Work and Pensions used to shoulder the bill for free TV licences, but the responsibility was handed to the BBC in 2015.

This had saddled the broadcaster with a bill of at least £745million from 2021, rising to more than £1billion by 2029. In return, the Government gave the BBC permission to either limit or remove the entitlement.

The BBC announced yesterday that it had decided to restrict free TV licences to poorer pensioners – a move that will still cost it £250million a year. The corporation said the change was needed to avoid 'profoundly damaging closures' to services and channels.

Tory leadership hopeful Esther McVey urged the BBC to reverse its decision.

She tweeted: 'The BBC was told that it could increase the licence fee if it covered free TV licences for over 75s.

'It now seems to have broken that deal The BBC shouldn't benefit financially from breaking that promise. I would ensure that all over 75s get the free TV licences they deserve.'

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky: 'I think this decision by the BBC was a mistake because I don't think we should be putting extra burdens on pensioners.

'Ultimately over the next few years the distinction between what is a TV and what is a computer is collapsing, in the future there won't be a distinction.

'This is all a short-term debate, the big debate is how do you have a national broadcaster in the era of the internet?'

They joined Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who told the Good Morning Britian: 'If GMB are going to mount a campaign on this, then sign me up as the first person to back it because television is the window to the world for people that can't go there themselves, including people who are elderly.

'It's not just a friend when you're lonely, it's not just intellectual stimulation, it's also a way to reach out and see things and, like Susanna (Reid), if I was asked to pay a few pounds more to help make sure that free TV licences are maintained for people over the age of 75, I would willingly pay it.'

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson branded the burden placed on pensioners an 'outrage' and activists for the elderly warned that the move will directly affect the 'sick and disabled'.

Meanwhile, Tobias Ellwood retweeted a post by Piers Morgan about D-Day veterans now being saddled with paying the fee, with the Defence Minister claiming around a million former soldiers are over the age of 75.

Scottish National Party MP Hannah Bardell said: 'It's a shocking fact that dozens of people, many of whom are women, are sent to prison every year for non-payment of their licence.

'As if this is not bad enough, to potentially prosecute people in their 80s and 90s and send them to prison for not being able to afford a TV licence is absolutely unacceptable.'

Labour's Kate Hoey tweeted: 'All this will do is make the campaign to abolish the licence fee even stronger.'

The BBC has scrapped blanket free TV licences for the over-75s, bosses have announced today. File image

Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said the thought of jail was 'amazingly scary' for the elderly.

She added: 'We're talking about some of the most vulnerable people in our society who are facing all kinds of challenges – intellectual impairments, serious illness, terminal illness, bereavement – all kinds of things happen to you when you get to this age.

'The last thing people want to be worrying about is the possibility that they might be taken before the courts for doing the wrong thing - and yet it's hard to see how that won't happen to some people.'

Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, said the removal of free TV licences would add another layer of bureaucracy for dementia sufferers who already 'find it difficult to keep on top of bill payments'.

BBC boss Lord Tony Hall insisted yesterday that the broadcaster would be sensitive to the plight of vulnerable pensioners. But he said the corporation did not have the power to decriminalise the licence fee.

'It is up to the courts, but it's also our interpretation of people's state - already, on the licence fee we can make judgements about that,' he added.

BBC bosses said keeping free licences would have forced them to cut their total budget by a fifth, sacrificing vast swathes of services.

A spokesman said: 'This is the fairest option to help the poorest pensioners. It is the fairest option for all licence fee payers, as this means everyone will continue to receive the best programmes and services that the BBC can provide.

'The BBC will not be making judgements about poverty as that measure is set and controlled by Government.' BBC chairman Sir David Clementi yesterday took a swipe at the Government, saying it could 'of course choose to step in and close the gap from their own resources'.

Insiders suggested that the corporation had rushed its announcement through in order to take advantage of the Tory leadership election and 'bounce' candidates into making promises to take on the extra cost.

But the Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'We are very disappointed with this decision. We have been clear that we expected the BBC to continue this concession.

'People across the country value television as a way to stay connected and we want the BBC to talk again at ways to support older people.

'Taxpayers want to see the BBC use its substantial licence fee income in an appropriate way to ensure it delivers for UK audiences.'