Who has to have a licence?

By British law anybody who uses a TV to receive TV programmes has to pay a licence fee. Even users of VCRs, DVD recorders, or a PC with a broadcast card have to abide by this. The cost of the fee is determined by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. It currently stands at an annual price of £126.50 for a colour TV licence and £42.00 for a black and white TV.

What is it used for?

The licence fee is used by the BBC to run its programming schedules. As a result the channel does not need advertisers and adverts; neither does it have any involvement with shareholders or political bodies.
The average monthly fee of £10.55 for a colour licence is divided amongst most of the BBC services. This way TV and radio from both local and national networks can be brought to the public.

Does everybody have to pay?

There are certain exemptions from payment. These include people that are over the age of 75. However if you are 74 you can apply for a Short Term Licence until you reach 75.
If you are registered blind then the price is halved using the Blind Concessionary Licence.
If you are in receipt of income-related state benefits there are methods of payment which can ease the burden, via the Cash Easy Entry scheme.

How to Pay

There are various methods of payment which make payments easy.

• Direct Debit

This is probably the easiest way to pay and is arranged with your bank or building society. Payments can be taken from your account using monthly, quarterly or annual payments.

• Credit/Debit card

Payments can be made online at the TV licensing website via secure online transactions.

• Post Office

You can either take your bill and pay it in cash over the counter or you can buy TV licence savings stamps at a cost of £2 each. These can go towards the fee in part or full payment, but are a good way of saving a little bit at a time.

• Pay Point Outlet

These payment points can be found in many shops, newsagents and supermarkets across the UK. They allow you to renew your licence at a time that is convenient to you.

• Cash Easy Entry

This scheme is used by those people who receive income-related state benefits. It allows them to spread out their payments to weekly or fortnightly intervals.

• BACS

This is the electronic transfer system that is favoured by businesses wishing to renew a licence. This can be arranged beforehand with the TV Licensing body.

What happens if you do not pay?

Detector vans operate in many areas to detect the magnetic field which shows that a TV is switched on. Along with a national database of households and businesses with licences, there is no way of evading the TV licence fee. If you do not pay your licence you have to be prepared to get a £1000 fine and also face prosecution.

For more advice and information about TV Licences take a look at the TV Licensing website:
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk

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