The government has been urged to fund free licences
07:44, 28 Aug 2025Updated 16:05, 28 Aug 2025
The BBC has given a TV icence update for all state pensioners(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Demands are growing for free TV Licences to be provided to all UK pensioners as many “live on the breadline”. Approximately 8,335 individuals have signed an online petition calling on the Government to cover the TV Licence fee for all State Pensioners and those reaching the official retirement age, currently set at 66.
Currently, only those aged over 75 who receive Pension Credit qualify for a free licence, providing savings of £174.50 on the yearly charge. Petition organiser Michael Thompson stated: “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.”
This follows fresh figures showing that food costs have risen at their fastest pace for 18 months owing to escalating prices of chocolate, butter and eggs.
The petition continues: “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,” reports Chronicle Live.
The ‘Fund free TV licences for all pensioners’ petition has been launched on the UK Government’s petitions-parliament website. If it garners 10,000 signatures, it will receive a written response, and at 100,000, it will be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament, according to the Daily Record.
The UK Government has pledged to increase the BBC TV licence fee in line with inflation each year until 2027. The rise from £169.50 to £174.50 in April came after years of the licence fee being initially frozen and then increased at a slower pace than the BBC anticipated, leaving the corporation increasingly strapped for cash.
However, the Culture Secretary has not ruled out the possibility of wealthier households paying more for their TV licence as she contemplates alternatives to the annual fee. Earlier this year, Lisa Nandy indicated that she might be open to replacing the flat licence fee with a sliding scale following a suggestion by the BBC’s new chairman.
Wondering if you need to buy a TV licence?
You can verify if you require a TV licence on the TV Licensing website here.
Is there a chance for a discount?
Certain groups are entitled to TV licence discounts, including those residing in care homes who could receive it for free or pay a reduced amount if they are part of an Accommodation for Residential Care scheme. Individuals who are registered blind or severely sight impaired are entitled to a half price TV Licence (£87.25) and may be eligible for a refund on payments made in previous years, provided they have been the registered TV licence holder.
Free TV Licence for over-75s
If you’re already receiving Pension Credit, you can apply for your free over-75 TV Licence when you turn 74. TV Licensing will adjust your payments to cover you until your 75th birthday, at which point you’ll then be covered by your free licence.
They will confirm this in writing.
If you believe you’re eligible for a free licence but don’t currently have a TV licence, ring 0300 790 6117 and speak to an advisor to request an application form. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.30pm.