New calls to ‘abolish’ TV licence fee for all households ahead of planned rise to £174.50 in April
The UK Government recently announced that the BBC TV licence fee will increase in line with inflation each year until 2027 and is set to rise by £5 from the current £169.50 to £174.50 in April. However, thousands of people have signed a new online petition calling for the fee to be “abolished”.
The ‘abolish the TV licence’ petition has been created by Alastair Horton and posted on the UK Government’s petitions-parliament website where it has gathered more than 5,800 signatures of support. The petition states: “We think the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is losing its popularity and we shouldn't be forced to fund it.”
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The petition statement may be brief at just 18 words, but its message is resonating with supporters due to the number of signatures amassed in just a few days. At 10,000 signatures it is entitled to a written response from the UK Government and at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can view it online here.
The annual licence fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with it being frozen for two years at £159 before it was increased in April this year at a lower rate than the corporation expected.
In a written statement to Parliament last week, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The BBC provides much-needed programming for households across the country, including children’s education, world-class entertainment and trusted news for all people in all parts of the UK. I want to see it thrive for decades to come.
“Through the Charter Review, we will have an honest national conversation about the broadcaster’s long-term future, ensuring the BBC has a sustainable public funding model that supports its vital work but is also fair and responsive to those who pay for it.
“In the short-term, we are providing the BBC with funding certainty while supporting thousands more households facing financial hardship to spread the cost of a TV licence.”
The household payment, which funds much of the BBC’s operations, will be increased each year in line with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.
The Government will use a review of the BBC’s Royal Charter, which will include a public consultation, to consider funding options to support the broadcaster’s long-term future.
To help households struggling with financial pressures, the Government set up the Simple Payment Plan (SPP), which it will be expanding.
It says the expansion will allow an estimated additional 9,000 unlicensed households experiencing financial difficulty per month to split up the annual payment into more manageable fortnightly and monthly instalments.
The BBC has been under increasing financial pressure and last month revealed a raft of planned changes as it looks at reducing more than 100 news roles.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We welcome confirmation that the licence fee will increase in line with inflation next year. We want everyone to get value from the licence fee and we are committed to delivering trusted news, the best homegrown storytelling and those special moments that bring us together.
“We also look forward to the debate about the future and working with the Government to ensure sustainable, long-term public funding. As part of these discussions we will run our biggest ever public engagement exercise in 2025 so that audiences are at the heart of shaping our future.”
Who needs to buy a TV licence?
A TV licence is needed in the UK to watch or record any programmes as they are being broadcast live on television
It is also required to watch or stream live programming on any online TV streaming service, such as BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Amazon prime and YouTube
You can check if you need a TV licence on the TV Licensing website here.
Ways to pay for a TV licence
A TV licence currently costs £169.50. You can pay it all in one go, or:
Pay by monthly Direct Debit - from £14 per month
Pay less for your licence if you’re over 75 on Pension Credit, registered blind, or live in a care home
Pay by quarterly Direct Debit - it works out at around £44 per month
Pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly with a TV Licensing payment card (from £6.50 per week) - once the card is set up you can pay online, through the TV Licensing app, by phone, text message or at any PayPoint
Can I get a discount?
Certain groups are entitled to TV licence discounts such as those who live in care homes, who could get it for free or pay a reduced amount if they are part of an Accommodation for Residential Care scheme - find out more here.
People who are registered blind are entitled to a half price TV Licence (£84.75) and may be eligible for a refund on payments made in previous years - if they have been the registered TV licence holder.
Free TV Licence for over-75s
If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free over-75 TV Licence when you are 74 years old. TV Licensing will update your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, at which point you’ll then be covered by your free licence. They will confirm this in writing.
If you think you’re eligible for a free licence but don’t currently have a TV licence, call 0300 790 6117 and speak to an advisor to request an application form. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
