Some pensioners can get a free TV licence (Image: Getty)
Calls are growing for an £180 discount scheme to be expanded to included all pensioners. Several groups of older people already qualify for the support so it’s worth checking if you are eligible.
This relates to the fact that some pensioners can get a free TV licence, saving them £180 a year if they need the standard colour licence. You qualify for the freebie if you claim Pension Credit and are aged 75 or older. Some other groups of older people or those with certain medical conditions also qualify.
The rules were previously tightened back in 2020, as prior to this anyone aged 75 and older could get a free TV licence. But a petition to the Government is calling for the eligibility rules to be expanded beyond this, so that “all pensioners” qualify.
The message 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.”
The petition continues to attract more support each day, and has reached 50,000 signatures. If the petition can reach 100,000 signatures, the issue will be considered for debate in Parliament.
‘Retirement age’ question
What the petitioners mean by “retirement age” is not stated. If they mean the state pension age, this is currently moving up from 66 to 67, going up gradually between April 2026 and April 2028.
There are plans for another increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, although there has been discussion of moving forward this timetable. The campaigners may also mean the age when you can start to draw down your pension, which is currently 55.
This is moving up to 57 from April 2028, the same time as the state pension age will move up to 67. The petition goes on to make the case for opening up eligibility to all pensioners.
‘Double outrage’
The message states: “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.”
As the petition reached 10,000 signatures, the Government is obliged to issue a response. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport issued a reply on June 1.
Who qualifies for a free TV licence?
The organisation confirmed there is “no BBC concession to provide free TV licences for all pensioners at this time”. The response also explains who currently qualifies for a free TV licence: “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.” You can sign the petition on the Parliament website.