UK licence fee increase announced

The UK’s licence fee will increase by £3 per year, the government has confirmed.

In a statement published by the BBC, it was announced that the annual television licence fee will increase from £154.50 to £157.50.

The pubcaster noted that the government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee and that it decided in 2016 that its cost would rise in line with inflation for five years from 1 April 2017.

The cost of an annual black and white licence will rise from £52.00 to £53.00.

Anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, or watching or downloading BBC programmes on iPlayer, needs to be covered by a licence. This applies whether they are using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment.

Currently there is no impact on the free fees for over-75s, though the broadcaster had previously announced controversial plans to scrap this benefit.

From June 1, anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit will be eligible to apply for a free TV Licence. If Pension Credit is not being received, the TV Licence will need to be paid for.

In December, prime minister Boris Johnson launched a review into non-payment of the TB licence fee, while last week Julian Knight – who is in favour of licence fee reform – was elected chair of the government’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS).