East Londonderry DUP MP Gregory Campbell has strongly criticised proposals reportedly being considered by the Labour Government to offer free television licences to benefit claimants, describing the move as "another slap in the face to working people."

The DUP Westminster spokesman on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport delivered a sharp critique of the plan: "These proposals are another slap in the face for working people who do the right thing, pay their bills and already shoulder the cost of the BBC licence fee."

Mr Campbell argued that the plan would further disadvantage middle-income earners: "Under Labour's thinking, the 'squeezed middle' will be squeezed further by paying the full licence fee, while others receive it free, despite many working families already struggling with energy bills, mortgages and the cost of living." The MP raised concerns about the principle of the fee, which has traditionally been universal: "The BBC licence fee has always been justified as a universal charge, applied fairly across society. Once Labour begin carving out ever-wider exemptions, the burden inevitably falls more heavily on those who are working and paying tax."

He also posed questions regarding the practical funding of the proposed change, highlighting that "Either the BBC's budget is reduced, or the cost is shifted onto working households through higher charges."

Mr Campbell stressed the particular impact on the region: "In Northern Ireland, where many working people earn less than the UK average and receive no additional support, it would be particularly unfair for them to be expected to subsidise these changes."

He concluded with a call for the Government to change its focus: "If the Government is serious about fairness, it should focus on making work pay and rewarding those who work hard. Labour should stop using the BBC as a vehicle for social policy and instead focus on easing the pressures facing working families, not punishing them yet again for going out to work."