The UK government is being called to scrap the TV licence fee for all pensioners under a new petition.
The online petition created by Michael Thompson points out that, with the cost of living crisis and the increase in bills, pensioners should not have to pay the licence fee, which costs £169.50 per year. In April, it will increase to £174.50.
At the moment the fee is exempt for those who receive Pension Credit but the petition argues that the fee cancellation should be extended to all of those who reach retirement age.
It reads: “We want the Government to fund free TV licences for exsisting pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age. When people reach retirement age, we think they should recieve state-financed free TV licence.
“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.”
The petition needs 10,000 signatures for the government to respond, and it already has over 5,000 signatures. If it reaches 100,000 signatures by May 26, 2025, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Michael Thomspon’s petition continued: “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.”
Only those who are aged 75 and over and receive Pension Credit are eligible for a free TV licence.
There are additional TV licence discounts for specific groups, for example, a 5% reduction for those registered as blind or severely sight impaired.
For those living in nursing homes, residential care, or sheltered accommodation, there is a reduced rate of £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.
You can find the petition here.
