Digital switch wrong letters sent

Some people are eligible for help during the switchover

Around 60,000 people in north Wales have incorrectly been sent letters telling them they are eligible for help in switching to digital television.

Another batch of correspondence stated people had to pay £40 for help - when they were eligible for free assistance.

Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw said the mistake was made because of "incorrect or incomplete" information by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Switchover Help Scheme is meant to help older and disabled people.

"The DWP apologises for these mistakes and has informed the information Commissioners Office," said Mr Bradshaw.

He added that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), DWP and the Switchover Help Scheme are working closely to ensure that the errors do not happen again.

Mr Bradshaw said the Help Scheme and DWP would be writing to around 55,000 ineligible people who had not already applied for help or responded to the original letter, apologising for the mistake.

The help scheme, which is run by the BBC, under an agreement with the government, offers older and disabled people help to switch one TV to digital during switchover in their region.

People are eligible if they are aged 75 or over, have lived in a care home for six months or more, get or could get certain disability benefits, or are registered blind or partially sighted.