Petition calling for free TV licence for all pensioners receives Government response

A petition calling for free for all pensioners has received a response from the Government.

The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport’s response acknowledged the challenges the current model faces but reiterated that free licences are only available to people aged 75 and over who receive .

When it reaches 10,000 signatures, a petition will trigger a Government response. At 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for a debate in Parliament.

This petition, entitled “Fund free TV licences for all pensioners”, has garnered over 37,200 signatures.

A statement from Michael Thompson, who launched the petition, reads: “We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official age. When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence.”

Mr Thompson added: “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.”

At present, all households in the UK who watch or stream live TV and iPlayer must pay an annual fee of £169.50 or face a fine.

This fee will increase to £174.50 in April in line with inflation, which has sparked widespread criticism and .

Adding to its response, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: “The took on responsibility for over-75s concessionary licences as part of the 2015 licence fee settlement. The now administers the concession, and offers free TV licences for over-75s who are in receipt of Pension Credit.

“While the Government strongly believes in public funding for the 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.”

For this reason, it noted there has been an extension to the Simple Payment Plan (SPP), which allows unlicensed households experiencing financial difficulty to split up the annual payment into more manageable fortnightly and monthly instalments.

The DCMS said: “The ’s analysis suggests that the expansion could double the number of households using the SPP to around 500,000 by the end of 2027.”

The current TV licence fee model will remain intact until at least 2027, after which a new charter will take effect.

The DCMS said: “We must ensure that there is a sustainable funding model that is fair for those who pay for it. The Government will be taking forward this issue as part of the Charter Review process since what the does and its future role is fundamentally influenced by how it is funded.

“The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and firmly believes that the unique obligations placed on the demand continued, sustainable public funding to support its vital work.”

However, it added: “We will work closely with the , and engage with other broadcasters, stakeholders across the creative industries as well as the British public to inform our thinking. This will include the opportunity for stakeholders and audiences across the country to respond to the Charter Review public consultation before the new charter comes into effect in 2028.”

The is due to close on May 26, 2025, meaning people have just over three months left to boost their chances of triggering parliamentary debate.