Free TV licences for pensioners 14-day deadline update after response | Personal Finance | Finance

There are just two weeks remaining to support a campaign that seeks to guarantee free TV licences for all state pensioners. A petition on the Parliament website could be put forward for a debate – if it achieves 100,000 signatures – it currently stands at 47,819.

Just two weeks remain – it closes on July 21 – but it could place pressure on Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to contemplate reform as she presently reviews the BBC’s future. Should the petition on the parliament website hit 100,000 signatures, it will be put forward for parliamentary debate – amplifying pressure on the DCMS, which would then be required to defend its position.

Momentum has accelerated – over recent days, signatures have risen to over 48,000 – though, supporters have only until 21 July to register their backing.

The Government has already issued an update to campaigners calling for free television licences to be made available to all state pensioners. The Department for Culture Media and Sport published a new statement on the issue – confirming it was ‘keeping an open mind’ about ‘new concessions’ for households, after the petition’s milestone of 10,000 signatures, which prompted a compulsory formal response.

The standard UK TV Licence rose to £180 per year this year. A black-and-white only licence is priced at £60.50.

To be eligible for a free TV licence as a pensioner in the UK, either the individual or their partner living at the same address must be aged 75 or above and in receipt of Pension Credit. Should the petition accumulate 100,000 signatures, a Parliamentary debate will be considered, according to Chronicle Live.

Universal free TV licences for 3.7m pensioners aged 75 and over officially came to an end on 31 July 2020. The BBC declared at that time that funding free TV licences for all over-75s would have resulted in ‘unprecedented closures’

The petition states: “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.

“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.”

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport responded to the petition once it reached 10,000 signatures. It stated that it was keeping an ‘open mind’ regarding new concessions, adding: “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.

“The Government believes that public service broadcasting, and the BBC in particular, are vital British assets that support our democracy, bring our communities together, and help to shape and define our nation through telling stories about the lives of people in all parts of the UK.

“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 ongoing BBC Charter Review is examining how the corporation is funded, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport noting that while 94% of adults use the BBC each month, fewer than 80% of households actually pay, ‘contributing to an ongoing pressure on the BBC’s funding which includes the extent to which concessions are possible’. The BBC chose to abolish universal free TV licences for all individuals aged 75 and above, introducing a means-tested arrangement in its place.

Since August 2020, a complimentary TV licence is only available to households where an individual is in receipt of Pension Credit. All other over-75s must pay the standard licence fee.

Regarding this matter, the DCMS stated: “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.”

To access the petition, add your signature and read the complete response, click here.