The annual price for a TV Licence is because of rise once more from April.
The annual price of a TV Licence is rising from April (Picture: Getty)
Households throughout the UK should pay extra for a TV Licence from April because the annual price is because of rise but once more. You want a TV Licence to look at or document programmes on a TV, pc, or different system on any channel or service as they’re broadcast – together with on-demand BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. Presently, the TV Licence price prices £174.50 per 12 months (or £58.50 for black and white TV units) following a £5 value hike in April 2025, including an additional 42p monthly to family payments.
The UK authorities determined that the TV Licence price would improve consistent with inflation from April 1, 2024, for the remaining 4 years of the Constitution interval, which runs till the top of 2027, which means households face no less than two extra years of value hikes in April.
The Division for Tradition, Media and Sport has now confirmed that the TV Licence price will rise consistent with inflation from April 1, taking the annual price to £180 – an increase of £5.50, or the equal of an additional 46p monthly. The annual price of a black and white TV Licence will price £60.50 from April 1 for the 2026/27 tax 12 months.
However it’s potential to get a TV Licence totally free, or at a reduced fee, in some circumstances, permitting you to keep away from the upcoming April value hike.
Who qualifies for a free TV Licence?
You may get a free TV Licence in case you are aged 75 or over and also you, or your associate dwelling on the similar tackle, obtain Pension Credit score. The free licence will cowl everybody dwelling at your tackle.
If you happen to already get Pension Credit score you possibly can apply for a free TV Licence once you’re 74, however you’ll must proceed paying to your licence till the top of the month earlier than your seventy fifth birthday. After this, you may be lined by your free licence.
You could reside in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit score, which supplies further money for these on a low revenue to assist with dwelling prices.
For individuals who qualify, the profit tops up your weekly revenue to £227.10 for those who’re single, or your joint weekly revenue to £346.60, and it additionally unlocks a wealth of different advantages – together with a free TV Licence.
Pension Credit score charges are as a result of rise by 4.8% in April, taking single weekly funds as much as £238.00 and joint weekly funds as much as £363.25.
Who qualifies for a diminished price TV Licence?
If you happen to reside in a residential care dwelling, supported housing or sheltered lodging, then chances are you’ll be entitled to a diminished price TV Licence.
If you’re blind (severely sight impaired) and may present the suitable proof, you possibly can apply for a 50% low cost in your TV Licence. If neither of those apply then you definitely’ll must pay for a TV Licence on the full fee.
Different methods to chop your TV Licence invoice
If you happen to don’t meet the eligibility standards for Pension Credit score, or qualify for a diminished price TV Licence, there are different methods to scale back your TV Licence invoice, or keep away from it altogether.
TV Licences are per family, not per individual, so for those who reside in a home with a number of individuals you don’t all must have one in some circumstances and will all chip in to share the price of one licence.
You’ll be able to share a TV Licence among the many complete family for those who watch TV in a single shared space, or have a joint tenancy settlement. However when you have separate tenancy agreements and watch TV in your individual room then you will want to pay to your personal.
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You additionally don’t want a TV Licence to look at streaming providers, reminiscent of Netflix and Disney Plus, on-demand TV by way of providers like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video, movies on web sites reminiscent of YouTube, or DVDs and Blurays.
So for those who’re pleased to simply persist with watching any of those, and never watch or document any reside TV or BBC iPlayer, it can save you your self £174.50. However for those who do watch or document reside TV and not using a TV Licence then you definitely might be issued a positive of as much as £1,000.
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