Pensioners face losing free travel and TV licences

Wealthy pensioners face losing their free TV licence, winter fuel payments and bus passes in coming years.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today ruled out such cuts before 2015 but made clear that they could happen afterwards.

David Cameron made a pledge at the 2010 election to protect these benefits. Mr Clegg told the BBC today: “We have ruled out in the coalition agreement changing what are called age-related universal benefits: free TV licences, winter fuel payments and free bus passes.” But he added: “There are many millionaires in this country who perhaps ... in the future will say, voluntarily, that maybe they should give up some of those universal entitlements to help some of those who are less lucky than them make ends meet.”