A monthly line rental for people aged over 65 could rise to �10.33

Jersey Telecom is changing its Prime Talk tariff to stop people aged over 65 automatically getting a discounted monthly line rental of �1.46.

People will now have to pay the full line rental of �10.33, with a discount only available to people who make less than �5 worth of calls a month.

Jersey Telecom says the new tariffs will produce a fairer system.

We feel it's not appropriate that we continue to effectively subsidise people over 65 Bo Pinel, Jersey Telecom

But Age Concern chairman Daphne Minihane said the change would hit pensioners who relied on the phone as a lifeline.

"The old people have been targeted again. This was never a tariff for people on limited means as people are saying," she said.

"In 1991 it was brought in to help senior citizens. This is the last straw, coming on top of means-testing for Christmas bonuses, restrictions on peak time bus travel and increased costs of prescriptions.

"I am really quite appalled this is happening."

'Reconsider' decision

Deputy Carolyn Labey said the States should ask Jersey Telecom to reverse its decision.

"The States is a 100% shareholder of Jersey Telecom, and whilst we don't want to interfere with the management and I understand they are a company and their aim is to make a profit, we should be entitled to ask them to reconsider the decision."

But Bo Pinel, from Jersey Telecom, said the changes would produce a fairer scheme.