The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that state pensioners aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit can obtain a free TV Licence, reducing the cost from £180 to £0. The benefit, which averages £4,300 per year, also unlocks additional support such as help with housing costs, council tax, and free television licenses for eligible individuals.
Eligibility and Benefits
Under DWP rules, households where at least one person is aged 75 or over and in receipt of Pension Credit qualify for the TV Licence concession. The DWP stated: “Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits.”
Government Statement on Concessions
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the existing concessions, saying: “There are a number of TV licence concessions available, including for over-75s in receipt of pension credit. There is no BBC concession to provide free TV licences for all pensioners at this time.” The DCMS added that concessions are set out in legislation for people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, over-75s on pension credit, and disabled or over-60 residents in qualifying residential care.
Future of the Concession
The government remains committed to the current licence fee and its concessions until the end of the Charter period in 2027. Regarding potential changes, the DCMS noted: “We are also keeping an open mind about new concessions and are considering a range of options to better account for different household situations. As set out in the Charter Review Green Paper, we do not plan to remove any existing concessions. We also do not plan to revisit the decision on over-75s licences as the BBC provides a concession for over-75s on pension credit which targets those most in need of support.”
Prior to the 2020 amendment, extending the TV licence concession to all over-75s was estimated to cost around £745 million per annum. The current targeted approach ensures support reaches those on the lowest incomes.
