MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

TV licence costs to increase from April

tv
Callum Mason
Callum Mason
News Reporter
22 February 2018

The cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £150.50 from Sunday 1 April – an increase of £3.50.

A black and white TV licence will also increase in cost by £1 to £50.50.

There will be no change to the free over-75 TV licence, and if you are blind (severely sight impaired), you will still be able to apply for a 50% discount so your colour licence will cost £75.25, which is an increase of £1.75.

Those buying or renewing a licence after 1 April will pay the new fee. Anyone who has already started paying for their licence before 1 April – such as by monthly direct debit or weekly cash payments – will continue to make payments totalling £147 until their licence comes up for renewal.

If your TV licence expires in March, it's especially important to renew before 1 April, so you don't pay the increased cost. If you're getting a new licence, you should also do this before 1 April to ensure you pay the lower amount.

Not sure if you need a TV licence? See our .

This is just one of many public service and utility price hikes due to hit: - Stamps... first & second class will rise by 2p on 26 March – buy early to save. - Passports... online application costs go up by £3 from 27 March – beat the hike. - Prescriptions... climb to £8.80 on 1 April in England – see cheap medicines help. - Council tax... bills increase on 1 April, yet some overpay – challenge your tax band. - Water bills... are going up by an average £9 on 1 April – cut your water bills. - Dental charges... check-up costs will go up from 1 April – can dental insurancehelp?- Student loan... repayment thresholds rise on 6 April – see full info.

MSE Forum

TV licence costs to increase from April

Forum image
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff