BBC is ‘preparing’ to scrap free TV licences for over-75s in August, says Lord Hall
- Director General confirmed today that preparations are now underway
- Comes after the BBC delayed the scrapping amid the coronavirus crisis
- People on pension credit will continue to receive a free TV licence
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The BBC is ‘preparing’ to scrap free TV licences for over-75s in August, says Lord Hall.
In March the broadcaster delayed the scrapping of free TV licences for over-75s by two months to help the elderly deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Only those on pension credit were set to continue to receive free TV licences from June 1 after the corporation took on responsibility for funding the benefit.
BBC Broadcasting House in London is pictured in January. The BBC says it is now preparing to scrap the licence fee
The BBC pushed it back to August 1, because ‘during this time we do not want anyone to be worried about any potential change’.
Today Director-General Lord Hall confirmed that preparations are now underway to carry out the scrapping.
From August 1, 2020, around 3.7 million households which previously received a free licence will have to pay for one.
At the moment all over-75s receive a free TV licence but from August, only those households with a member who receives pension credit will be eligible.
Those found to be ineligible for a free licence will have to pay £157.50 a year for a colour television and £52 a year for a black and white television.