The government has said it is considering potential new TV licence concessions for viewers as a major review into BBC funding continues. A consultation on the future of television closes at midnight tonight (August 31, 2026), with officials reviewing responses to the Charter Review Green Paper public consultation.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, run by Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, said existing concessions will not be removed. This includes the free licence for over-75s on Pension Credit. In a response to an MP, the department said it was potentially considering new assistance.
Consultation closes and petition support
This follows a petition with tens of thousands of signatures calling for free licences for all pensioners. The petition, which closed last month, said: "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."
It added: "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."
Minister's response and funding options
Minister of State Ian Murray revealed the government was examining potential changes, which might encompass 'possible new concessions': "The BBC Charter Review Green Paper sought views on ways to make the BBC's funding fairer, including possible new concessions. As set out in the Green Paper, we do not plan to remove any existing concessions. This includes the concession for over-75s on pension credit, which targets those most in need of support. In 2024, the government also extended the Simple Payment Plan to support those facing financial hardship to spread the cost of their TV licence."
He added: "The Government is considering responses to the Charter Review public consultation, which closed on 10 March 2026. These will inform policy decisions for the next BBC Royal Charter which will be set out in a White Paper, expected to be published later this year."
BBC director-general on cuts and licence fee
BBC director-general Matt Brittin has admitted he was not aware of the "severity" of the cuts the organisation must make. He has previously said the corporation is "held back" by its TV licence fee which is "no longer fit for purpose", and he has suggested a household levy as a potential funding option.
He said in a new interview: "In that context we need to be experimenting and finding what works and getting behind it, and don't believe in move fast and break things. I think that's crazy. You know, that's irresponsible. But we need to move faster through experimenting and learning, and that's one of the things I want to bring to the BBC: is a sense of openness and partnership to find a way to the future together."
The BBC in June announced plans for savings across the news, nations and content divisions, which is set to deliver £160 million of £500 million in savings needed by 2028/29. The BBC's annual report (July 2026) showed a drop of around 540,000 active licences in 2025/26, to about 23.3 million.
The standard annual BBC TV licence fee currently stands at £180 for a colour licence and £60.50 for a black and white licence, which came into effect from 1st April 2026. Under UK law, any household or property must pay the standard TV licence fee if they watch or record live television on any channel or service, live-stream TV on online platforms, or download and use BBC iPlayer.
The DCMS 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. TV Licence concessions are set out in legislation and are currently available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, as well as to over-75s in receipt of pension credit, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old. The Government is committed to the current licence fee and its available concessions for the remainder of this Charter period, until the end of 2027."
The department added: "We are also keeping an open mind about new concessions and are considering a range of options to better account for different household situations. As set out in the Charter Review Green Paper, we do not plan to remove any existing concessions."
