The cost of living crisis continues to hit pensioners hard, and with the BBC TV licence fee increasing to £174.50 from April, many older people are struggling to afford access to television. A growing number of campaigners are calling for the government to reinstate free TV licences for all state pensioners, arguing that the current system unfairly excludes many who still face financial hardship.
Currently, only pensioners receiving Pension Credit qualify for a free TV licence, a policy that has been in place since the government stopped funding universal free licences for over-75s in 2020. This change left hundreds of thousands of older people paying for a service that was previously free, leading to widespread frustration and financial strain.
A petition calling for free TV licences for all state pensioners has now gathered tens of thousands of signatures, forcing the government to respond. But will this campaign lead to real change?
Government Issues Response to Growing Public Demand
In response to the petition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport defended the current system, highlighting the BBC’s role in funding free licences for some pensioners:
“The BBC took on responsibility for over-75s concessionary licences as part of the 2015 licence fee settlement. The BBC now administers the concession and offers free TV licences for over-75s who are in receipt of Pension Credit.”
The government acknowledged that many households are struggling with the cost of living, and as a result, it has introduced a Simple Payment Plan (SPP) to help spread the cost of the licence fee:
“While the Government strongly believes in public funding for the BBC given the public good it serves, we are aware of the financial difficulties faced by some households and are committed to supporting them to spread the cost of the TV licence.”
The Simple Payment Plan allows unlicensed households to split the cost into smaller, manageable payments, with the government estimating that 500,000 households could be using the scheme by 2027.
However, campaigners argue that this doesn’t go far enough, as many pensioners who don’t qualify for Pension Credit are still struggling with everyday expenses, including energy bills, food, and housing costs.
Will Free TV Licences for All Pensioners Return?
Despite the growing pressure, the government has not committed to reinstating universal free TV licences for all state pensioners. Instead, it has tied the issue to the upcoming BBC Charter Review, which will examine the future of the licence fee model and whether changes are necessary.
A government spokesperson explained:
“The forthcoming Charter Review is a key opportunity to set the BBC up for success long into the future. It will look at a range of issues and, as a priority for this Government, will start a national conversation to make sure the BBC truly represents and delivers for every person in this country.”
The review, set to take place before the next BBC charter is agreed in 2028, will consider alternative funding models and whether the licence fee remains the best way to finance public broadcasting.
Campaigners argue that pensioners can’t wait until 2028 for change and that immediate action is needed to ease financial pressures on older households.
What Happens Next?
With the petition continuing to gain momentum, there remains a possibility of further debate on the issue in Parliament. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it could be considered for a parliamentary discussion, increasing the pressure on the government to act.
However, the government’s current stance suggests that any major policy changes are unlikely before the BBC Charter Review in 2028. This means that, for the foreseeable future, only pensioners receiving Pension Credit will continue to benefit from a free TV licence, while others will need to find ways to cover the rising cost.
With the licence fee set to increase to £174.50 in April, many pensioners are left facing tough choices about how to budget for yet another expense. Some campaigners argue that the government should step in now, rather than delaying decisions until the Charter Review, to prevent further financial hardship for older people.
In the meantime, pensioners struggling to pay may need to explore alternative support options, such as the Simple Payment Plan introduced by the government, which allows them to spread payments over the year.
As the petition grows and public discussion intensifies, the future of TV licence fees—and whether free licences for all pensioners will return—remains uncertain.
