New call for free UK TV licence fee for millions of Brits across UK

Thousands of people have put their names to an online petition, calling on the UK Government to cover the TV licence fee for all State Pensioners and those who reach the current official retirement age of 66.

As it stands, only those over 75 who are in receipt of Pension Credit are eligible for a free TV licence, saving them £174.50 on the annual fee. The man behind the petition, Michael Thompson, argues that "many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company".

He went on to say: "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."

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Mr Thompson also expressed his outrage, stating: "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."

The 'Fund free TV licences for all pensioners' petition can be found on the UK Government's petitions-parliament website. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, it will receive a written response, and at 100,000, it could be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can view it online here.

The UK Government has pledged to boost the BBC TV licence fee in line with inflation each year until 2027, reports the Daily Record. The increase from £169.50 to £174.50 in April came after years where the licence fee was initially frozen and then raised at a slower pace than the BBC anticipated, leaving the broadcaster increasingly strapped for cash.

Nevertheless, the Culture Secretary has kept the door ajar to wealthier households forking out more for their TV licence as she weighs up alternatives to the annual charge. Earlier this year, Lisa Nandy said she could be receptive to scrapping the flat licence fee in favour of a sliding scale following a proposal by the BBC's new chairman.

Dr Samir Shah, who assumed the chairman role in March last year, told the Sunday Times he would back a more progressive method of funding the corporation, saying: "Why should people who are poor pay the same as people in wealthy households?".

Ms Nandy said at the time: "We are keen that whatever we do in the charter review that it commands broad public support and that it is progressive.

"The licence fee is a flat rate. It's harder for poorer households to pay it and we've seen some horrendous cases where the BBC has prosecuted mainly vulnerable women for not paying the licence fee. We think that's completely unacceptable."

Alternative options mooted for bankrolling the BBC include a subscription model, but Mr Shah said it "would not meet the BBC's key role to offer something for everyone in the country".

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 verify if you require a TV licence on the TV Licensing website here.

How to pay for a TV licence

A TV licence will set you back £174.50. You have the option to pay it all at once, or:

• Pay by monthly Direct Debit - from £14.50 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 £45 per payment
• 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

Am I eligible for a discount?

Certain groups are entitled to discounts on their TV licence, such as those residing in care homes, who could potentially receive it for free or pay a reduced fee if they are part of an Accommodation for Residential Care scheme - find out more here.

Individuals who are registered blind or severely sight impaired are entitled to a half price TV Licence (£87.25) 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're already receiving Pension Credit, you can apply for your free over-75 TV Licence when you turn 74. TV Licensing will adjust your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, after which you'll be covered by your free licence.

If you believe you're eligible for a free licence but don't currently have a TV licence, ring 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.