More than three million households will have to pay the £157.50 fee from 1 August 2020
Only those who receive the Pension Credit benefit will be exempt
BBC to force most over 75s in UK to pay for TV licence from 1st August. UK government says the BBC has made the wrong decision at the wrong time. Age UK says it is a kick in the teeth for pensioners by BBC.
Free TV licences for the over75s had been provided by the government since 2000 but responsibility for the provision of free licences was passed by government to the BBC as part of its last licence fee settlement.
Many over-75s will find it difficult to pay because they are not online and may be either unable to unwilling to leave their homes due to coronavirus fears. Around 40 percent of pensioners in the UK are entitled to Pension Credit as their income is low. If UK pensioners were to claim Pension Credit they would also save over £150 on TV licence each year as it is still going to be free for over 75s on Pension Credit.