TV licence costs to increase from April

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.