UK households will have to pay more for a TV Licence in the next few days when the new bill changes take effect.
The government has confirmed that the annual BBC licence fee will increase by £5 from April 1, rising from £169.90 per year to £174.50.
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For a black and white TV, the fee will go up by £1.50, rising from £57 per year to £58.50.
Any household that watches or records live TV on any channel or service, including ITV and Channel 4 or watches content on BBC iPlayer, is legally required to have a TV Licence.
This includes watching, recording and downloading TV content on any device.
But it is possible for some people to get a TV Licence for free, or at a discounted rate, allowing you to avoid the upcoming April price rise.
If you are aged 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit then you are entitled to a free licence.
The free licence will cover everyone living at your address.
If you already get Pension Credit you can apply for a free TV Licence when you’re 74, but you’ll need to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.
For those who qualify, the benefit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £332.95, and it also unlocks other benefits – including a free TV Licence.
Pension Credit rates will increase by 4.1% in April, taking single people’s weekly payments rising to £227.10 and those with a partner to £346.60.
If you live in a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, then you may be entitled to a reduced fee TV Licence.
If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you can also apply for a 50% discount on your TV Licence.
If you are a business that provides units of overnight accommodation the fee will be based on the number of accommodation or mobile units you offer where a TV receiver is installed or used.
If neither of these apply then you will have to pay for a TV Licence at the full rate or think about cancelling it.
Full list of people qualifying for a free or reduced fee TV Licence
The annual cost of a TV Licence is rising from April but check if you qualify for a free or reduced fee TV Licence.
- You are aged 75 or over and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit. The free licence will cover everyone living at your address.
- If you live in a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation, then you may be entitled to a reduced fee TV Licence.
- If you are blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you can apply for a 50% discount on your TV Licence.
- If you live in qualifying residential care and are disabled or over 60 and retired you may be entitled to a reduced fee TV Licence.
- If you are a business that provides units of overnight accommodation, for example, hotels and mobile units, your licence fee will be based on the number of accommodation or mobile units you offer where a TV receiver is installed or used.
For more detailed information please go to Are there any concessions available? – TV Licensing
Speaking earlier last year about the TV Licence hike, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Parliament: “The BBC provides much-needed programming for households across the country.
“That includes children’s education, world-class entertainment and trusted news for all people in all parts of the UK.”
Nandy added: “I want to see the BBC thrive for decades to come.
“This will ensure 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 BBC said: “We welcome confirmation that the licence fee will increase in line with inflation next year.”
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