Government update as thousands call for TV licence to be free for pensioners again

An update has been provided on fresh calls to make the BBC TV licence free for all pensioners. The Government has responded to a new petition signed by more than 13,000 people.

A TV licence, which is required to watch or record live TV and use BBC iPlayer, currently costs £174.50 per year, and non-payment can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Until 2020, the licence was free for all pensioners, benefiting around 4.5 million households, but the BBC changed the rules in 2019, making it only free for those receiving Pension Credit.

The petition, which can be found on the Parliamentary petition website, states: "We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age. When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence.

"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."

Once a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government is obliged to respond. In a reply, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it is "committed to the current licence fee" and no changes will be made in the near future.

It explained that there are already a number of discounts and concessions for the TV licence available to certain residents. "There are a number of TV licence concessions available, including for over-75s in receipt of pension credit," the department said.

"There is no BBC concession to provide free TV licences for all pensioners at this time."

TV licence concessions are available to:

• People who are registered blind or severely sight impaired
• People over-75 and in receipt of pension credit
• People living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old

It added: "The Government is committed to the current licence fee for the remainder of this Charter and, as such, will not be changing the available concessions at this stage. The BBC remains responsible for the over-75s concession, including the decision to provide free TV licences for over-75s in receipt of pension credit. Given the existing BBC concession, we have no plans to introduce a new Government concession for all pensioners at this time."

If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament. For more information, see the Parliamentary petition website here.