BBC TV Licence fee bills slashed to £0 for households as 500,000 cancel payments
The number of people cancelling their TV licence has increased by 500,000 in the past year, according to new figures from the BBC
TV licence: A look at reforms made to fee in 2022
BBC TV Licence fee payers have been informed they could snag it for FREE - or at a 50% discount - provided they tick the right boxes. In a revelation that could see many households save on costs, BBC viewers are being urged to check if they're eligible for a free TV Licence following news that a staggering 500,000 homes scrapped theirs last year.
The broadcaster's annual report disclosed that 23.9 million British households continued to fork out for the £169.50 licence fee, a drop from 24.4 million the previous year, resulting in an £80 million plunge in licence fee revenue. This comes at a particularly challenging time for the BBC, which is grappling with budgetary pressures due to funding cuts and soaring inflation rates.
Elderly citizens aged 75 or above who receive Pension Credit can claim a free TV licence. Additionally, students living away from home might be covered by their parents' TV licence, but this only applies if they use devices like phones, tablets, or laptops to watch TV.
Households with a resident who is blind or severely sight-impaired are entitled to a 50% reduction on their TV licence fee. Moreover, those residing in residential care or sheltered housing could be eligible for a concessionary TV licence, which is priced at just £7.50 per room, flat, or bungalow.
However, both the individual and the accommodation must meet certain criteria to qualify. The TV Licensing Authority website states: "If you're watching away from your parents' address on a device powered solely by its own internal batteries (i.e. it is not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains) you will be covered by their TV Licence.", reports Birmingham Live.
"And if someone in your household is visually impaired, you get half price of your licence fee. You can apply for a concessionary TV licence, costing £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow if you live in sheltered accomodation or sheltered care."
