𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Calls have been made to make TV licences free for all pensioners, with tens of thousands branding it an “outrage” that this isn’t currently the case. A petition, signed by almost 37,000 Brits, has been submitted to Parliament advocating for state-financed free TV licences for everyone at retirement age.

A TV licence is needed in the UK to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, and to use BBC iPlayer.

It costs £169.50 for the year, with this set to increase in April, and people risk a fine of up to £1,000 for watching TV without one.

Between 2000 and 2020 the licence had been free for all pensioners, benefiting around 4.5 million households.

However, a decision made by the BBC in 2019 changed this so only those in receipt of Pension Credit didn’t have to pay as of July 2020.

The petition details: “Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession.

“We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit. Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries.”

A Government response was provided this month by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It explained that the BBC took on responsibility for over-75s concessionary licences as part of the 2015 licence fee settlement.

“The BBC now administers the concession, and offers free TV licences for over-75s who are in receipt of pension credit,” it said. However, the department added that a “forthcoming” charter review will look at a “range of issues” regarding the BBC, “to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country”.

It commented: “The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and firmly believes that the unique obligations placed on the BBC demand continued, sustainable public funding to support its vital work.”

But new reports have revealed the licence fee could be extended, with the Government allegedly considering including streaming websites such as Netflix in the criteria. As reported by Bloomberg, anonymous sources claimed that the Prime Minister’s office, the Treasury, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are discussing a list of options to change how the BBC is funded.

Other funding options reportedly include allowing the BBC to show adverts, making BBC radio listeners pay a fee, and taxing streaming services. A spokesman for the DCMS refused to comment on “speculation”, adding: “We will provide more details about charter review plans in due course.”

To find out more about the petition visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700117. If the petition garners 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.