It used to be the case that everyone over the age of 75 could get a free TV licence – but the rules changed in 2020
A petition calling for TV licences to be made free for state pensioners has reached 20,000 signatures.
It now costs £180 for a TV licence. It used to be the case that everyone over the age of 75 could get a free licence – but the rules changed in 2020 so that you can only claim a free licence if you are over 75 and you get Pension Credit.
But a petition is calling on the Government to change the rules and fund free TV licences for all state pensioners. The state pension age is currently 66 for men and women but is rising to 67.
The petition states: “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.”
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The Government has since responded to the petition and ruled out free TV licences for older Brits.
The Government said: “There are a number of TV licence concessions available, including for over-75s in receipt of pension credit. There is no BBC concession to provide free TV licences for all pensioners at this time.”
There are approximately 23.8 million active TV licences in the UK. You need a TV licence to watch live TV or anything on BBC iPlayer, whether it is on catch-up or live.
You do not need a TV licence if you only watch shows on catch-up on streaming services excluding BBC iPlayer. This includes Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney Plus, YouTube, All 4 or My5.
However, you would need a TV licence if you watch live shows through a streaming service. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you’re caught watching TV programmes that require a TV licence.
The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey, plus legal costs or compensation. There are other groups of people that may be entitled to a free or discounted TV licence.
For example, students who are living away from home may also be covered if their parents have a TV licence, but only if they’re watching TV on a device that isn’t plugged into the mains, such as a phone, tablet or laptop.
If someone in your household is blind or severely sight-impaired, you’ll get 50% off the cost of your TV licence. Your TV licence covers you when watching content on a regular television set, laptop, computer, tablet or phone.
