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Free TV licence for all UK pensioners replace as key threshold nears

Calls for are rising at no cost TV licences for pensioners

The petition will shut quickly (Picture: Getty)

The Authorities is being urged to offer free TV licences to all UK pensioners. As a petition on the difficulty approaches 10,000 signatures, an official Authorities response might quickly be required. The petition, entitled “Fund Free TV licences for all pensioners”, was launched by Michael Thompson, who stated many older persons are dwelling on the “breadline” and depend on tv as their important supply of companionship.

Printed initially of the yr and set to shut on July 21, 2026, the petition reads: “We would like 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.

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“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 offer all pensioners with at the least this concession.

“We really feel it’s a double outrage that those that have given their all to this nation in taxes and elevating youngsters must pay a TV licence price and are solely exempt in the event that they obtain means-tested Pension Credit score. In the meantime, some media figures draw enormous salaries.”

Free TV Licence – have your say

Officers from petition.parliament word that if this “petition will get 10,000 signatures, the Authorities will reply to it. If this petition will get 100,000 signatures, it is going to be thought-about for debate in Parliament.”

This petition will stay open till July 21, 2026. Presently, as of Could 15, it has 9,178 signatures. You may signal the petition right here.

A TV Licence prices £180 (£60.50 for black-and-white TV units) for each houses and companies. TV Licensing confirms that you may solely apply for a free TV Licence if:

  • You, because the licence holder, are 75 years or older AND
  • You, or your accomplice dwelling on the identical handle, obtain Pension Credit score.

It provides: “There is no such thing as a free TV Licence for over 60s. Free TV Licences are solely out there in case you’re 75 or over and also you, or your accomplice dwelling on the identical handle, are receiving Pension Credit score.”

What’s Pension Credit score?

Pension Credit score is separate out of your State Pension. Pension Credit score works by giving extra cash to assist cowl dwelling prices in case you’re over State Pension age and have a low revenue. It may additionally assist cowl housing prices like floor hire and repair costs.

You should stay in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit score. You may examine your Pension Credit score eligibility right here.

Presently within the UK, the State Pension age is 66 years outdated for each women and men. It’s set to rise to age 67 between 2026 and 2028, and to age 68 between 2044 and 2046, GOV.UK confirms.

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