Millions of Brits set to fork out an extra £272 a year if Labour switches off Freeview, warn campaigners

MILLIONS of Britons could be forced to pay an extra £272 a year if Labour switches off Freeview, campaigners warn. Almost a third of punters cannot afford to pay more for broadband and TV, new polling found. Punters will be charged around £272 a year by 2034 if Labour decide to end terrestrial TV for good Credit: PA Freeview’s future is being considered by ministers, opening the door to forcing homes to internet-only television from 2034 Credit: dlcmarine.co.uk One in two pensioners are reliant on Freeview and they are the least likely to have a streaming subscription to fall back on. More than 4.3million homes will be hit with a £218-a-year bill just to watch TV if Freeview is ditched for online streaming, EY analysis found. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Punters will be charged around £272 a year by 2034 if Labour decide to end terrestrial TV for good. MPs across the political divide have thrown their weight behind The Sun’s Save Our Sets campaign to protect Freeview TV. Labour MP Sarah Champion said: “Free TV is still relied on by over eight million homes. “It is important we get this transition right and extend free terrestrial television to 2044.” Freeview’s future is being considered by ministers, opening the door to forcing homes to internet-only television from 2034. Campaigners Broadcast 2040+ are fighting to protect free-to-air television, raising the alarm that hard-up Brits cannot afford to be hit with another regular cost. Most read in The Sun A Broadcast 2040+ spokesperson said: “With more than half of pensioners saying they cannot afford to pay any more for broadband and TV, ministers should think very carefully before adding another cost.” A Government spokesman previously said: “Any future transition would only proceed once we are confident the right safeguards, infrastructure and support are in place.” Comment now