The TV Licence payment has elevated once more
BBC ought to ‘decriminalise not having a TV licence’ says MP
The annual TV licence payment rose from £174.50 to £180 on April 1. The Division for Tradition, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the rise is “according to inflation” as stipulated by the 2022 Licence Charge Settlement, including that the payment will rise once more by the identical measure subsequent April.
Now, a brand new on-line petition is urging the UK Authorities to “fund free TV licences for present pensioners” and people reaching the official retirement age, which has begun a phased improve from 66 to 67. Petition creator Michael Thompson argues “many pensioners stay on the breadline with solely the TV for firm” and highlights a “determined want to supply all pensioners with not less than this concession”.
The ‘fund free TV licences for all pensioners’ e-petition has been printed on the UK Authorities’s Petitions Parliament web site. Ought to it attain 10,000 signatures, it will be entitled to a written response, most definitely from the DCMS , studies the Day by day File.
The petition says: “We wish the Authorities to fund free TV licences for present pensioners and those that attain the official retirement age. When folks attain retirement age, we expect they need to obtain a state-financed free TV licence. Many pensioners stay on the breadline with solely the TV for firm. With the price of meals hovering and utility payments ever larger, we really feel there’s a determined want to supply all pensioners with not less than this concession.
“We really feel it’s a double outrage that those that have given their all to this nation in taxes and elevating kids need to pay a TV licence payment and are solely exempt in the event that they obtain means-tested Pension Credit score. In the meantime, some media figures draw big salaries.”
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Ought to the petition attain 100,000 signatures of help, the Petitions Committee would take into account the proposal for debate in Parliament. The total petition might be seen on-line.
The DCMS acknowledged the £5.50 rise within the payment, which is the predominant methodology of funding for the BBC, would offer the company with “steady monetary footing to ship for audiences and help the broader artistic industries”.
A DCMS assertion stated: “The Authorities recognises the monetary pressures on households and is dedicated to making sure the BBC’s funding mannequin is sustainable, honest and inexpensive. The Authorities has dedicated to the licence payment for the rest of this constitution interval.
“To help the general public with the price of the TV licence, we can even proceed to help the straightforward cost plan to unfold funds via smaller instalments. Free licences stay accessible for over-75s on pension credit score, with diminished charges for care house residents and blind folks.”
The yearly cost for a black and white TV licence has equally elevated by £2, rising from £58.50 to £60.50 for 2026/27.
Who wants to purchase a TV licence?
- A TV licence is required within the UK to observe or file any programmes as they’re being broadcast stay on tv
- Additionally it is required to observe or stream stay programming on any on-line TV streaming service, comparable to BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Amazon prime and YouTube
You may test for those who want a TV licence on the TV Licensing web site right here.
Methods to pay for a TV licence
A TV licence prices £180.00, you may pay it multi function go, or:
- Pay by month-to-month Direct Debit – from £15 per thirty days
- Pay much less to your licence for those who’re over 75 on Pension Credit score, registered blind, or stay in a care house
- Pay by quarterly Direct Debit – it really works out at round £46.25 per cost
- Pay weekly, fortnightly or month-to-month with a TV Licensing cost card (from £6.50 per week) – as soon as the cardboard is about up you may pay on-line, via the TV Licensing app, by telephone, textual content message or at any PayPoint
Can I get a reduction?
Sure teams are entitled to TV licence reductions comparable to those that stay in care properties, who may get it without spending a dime or pay a diminished quantity if they’re a part of an Lodging for Residential Care scheme – discover out extra right here.
People who find themselves registered blind or severely sight impaired are entitled to a half worth TV Licence (£90.00) and could also be eligible for a refund on funds made in earlier years – if they’ve been the registered TV licence holder.
Free TV Licence for over-75s
In case you already obtain Pension Credit score, you may apply to your free over-75 TV Licence if you end up 74 years outdated. TV Licensing will replace your funds to cowl you till your seventy fifth birthday, at which level you’ll then be lined by your free licence. They’ll affirm this in writing.
In case you suppose you’re eligible for a free licence however don’t presently have a TV licence, name 0300 790 6117 and converse to an advisor to request an software kind. Strains are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
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