The Government has issued a significant update to campaigners advocating for free television licences for all state pensioners. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), led by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, has released a new statement on the matter, confirming it is 'keeping an open mind' regarding potential new concessions for households.
Petition Gains Momentum
More than 20,000 individuals have now backed the campaign, which calls for universal free TV licences for pensioners. Currently, the standard UK TV Licence costs £180 per year, while a black-and-white only licence is priced at £60.50. Eligibility for a free TV licence for pensioners requires that either the individual or their partner residing at the same address is aged 75 or over and in receipt of Pension Credit. Should the petition reach 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a parliamentary debate.
Background on Free TV Licences
Universal free TV licences for the 3.7 million pensioners aged 75 and above were formally discontinued on 31 July 2020. At that time, the BBC stated that subsidising free licences for all over-75s would have led to 'unprecedented closures'. The petition argues: '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.'
The petition further emphasises: '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.'
Government Response
The DCMS stated: '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.'
On the possibility of future changes, 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. We also do not plan to revisit the decision on over-75s licences as the BBC provides a concession for over-75s on pension credit which targets those most in need of support. It was estimated the cost of the TV licence concession for all over-75s could reach around £745 million per annum prior to its amendment in 2020.'
