TV Licence set to rise from £147.00 to £150.50

From 1 April 2018, the cost of the annual licence fee will increase to £150.50, the Government has confirmed.

Published: 22 February 2018

The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee, and in 2016 announced that it would rise in line with inflation for five years from 1 April 2017. Last year, the fee increased for the first time since 2010.

The new licence fee amount equates to just £2.89 a week or £12.54 a month. For that, the BBC provides 9 national TV channels plus regional programming, 10 national radio stations, 40 local radio stations and one of the UK’s most popular websites. Last year 95% of the BBC’s controllable spend went on content for audiences and delivery, with just 5% spent on running the organisation. Programmes in the last year have included Strictly, Blue Planet II, Three Girls, Doctor Foster, Doctor Who, Taboo, McMafia, EastEnders, Match of the Day, Wimbledon and the Winter Olympics.

Licence fee payers will receive a payment plan or a reminder reflecting the new amount when their licence is next due for renewal. Those buying or renewing a licence after 1 April will pay the new fee. Those already buying a licence on an instalment scheme which started before 1 April - such as monthly direct debit or weekly cash payments - will continue to make payments totalling £147 until their licence comes up for renewal.

TV Licensing will be advising licence fee payers due to renew in March to pay on time so that they will pay the current rate of £147.00. Those buying a new licence before 1 April will also pay the current rate.

There are many ways to pay your licence, including small weekly cash payments and monthly Direct Debit. TV Licensing will also be piloting a new payment scheme from April this year for those who find it most difficult to pay their licence.

BBC Press Office

Notes to editors

  • The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) laid a Statutory Instrument to Parliament, introducing the licence fee increase.
  • Anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, or watching or downloading BBC programmes on iPlayer needs to be covered by a licence. This applies whether they are using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment. For more information about when a licence is needed, visit tvlicensing.co.uk/info
  • In July 2015 the Perry Review recommended the DCMS, in conjunction with the BBC, should explore ways of amending the current regulations to allow simple and flexible payment plans for those facing difficulty in paying the licence fee. The BBC welcomed this recommendation and details on the trial of the new payment scheme, including eligibility criteria, will be announced in due course once legislation has been passed to enable the trial to take place.
  • The increase has been calculated by Government using the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation, measured as the average rate of CPI over the last 12 months to September which works out at 2.23%.
  • The cost of an annual black and white licence will rise from £49.50 to £50.50.
  • If you are blind (severely sight impaired) you are entitled to a 50 per cent concession on the cost of a TV Licence. From 1 April 2018, this amount will be £75.25. There is no change to the Accommodation for Residential Care concession, which is available to people living in certain types of residential care accommodation, which may include care homes or sheltered housing.
  • TV Licensing provides a range of ways to pay, including small weekly cash payments and annual Direct Debit. Payers can view their details on line at any time, and can choose to receive correspondence from TV Licensing by email, rather than by post.

Tagged: