MSE News

BBC delays introduction of over-75 licence fee charge

Callum Mason

News Reporter

16 March 2020

The BBC has announced it is delaying charging some over-75s for TV licences until August, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

A rule change meaning that free TV licences for the over-75s will be restricted to those who receive the pension credit benefit was set to come into effect on 1 June 2020. But it has now been delayed until 1 August 2020.

The BBC says it will "keep the issue under review" as the situation continues to evolve.

You can read full details of the rule change in our BBC to end free TV licences for over-75s unless they get pension credit MSE News story.

What does the BBC say?

In a statement on its website today, the BBC said: "As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a vital role to play in supplying information to the public in the weeks and months ahead.

"Recognising the exceptional circumstances, the BBC board has therefore decided to change the start date of the new policy. Our current plan is to now bring it into place on 1 August. We will of course keep the issue under review as the situation continues to evolve."