Overview
- A government petition calling for free TV licences for all pensioners has drawn just over 6,500 signatures, which is short of the 10,000 needed for an official response and far from the 100,000 that can trigger a debate.
- The drive follows the rise in the annual TV licence to £180 on April 1, 2026, set by the 2022 settlement that links increases to inflation.
- Right now, only people aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit can get a free licence, with discounts for some care‑home residents and people who are blind.
- Under the settlement, another inflation‑linked rise is expected next April, with the black‑and‑white licence now £60.50.
- DCMS says the licence‑fee model remains in place for this charter period and highlights instalment plans for households, while coverage notes the BBC’s licence‑fee income has fallen about 24% in real terms since 2017.