A new petition on the Parliamentary website has so far racked up 30,000 signatures calling on the government to scrap the fee.
It said: “We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age.
“When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence.
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“Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher.”
We feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession
They continued: “We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit.
“Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries.”
The government responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures and will respond in five days.
At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament, too, it stipulates on the government website.
The cost of a TV licence goes up by 2.9 per cent, or £5, to £174.50 a year, in April. A black and white licence now costs £58.50 a year.
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The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said that from April next year the cost of an annual BBC licence fee will rise by £5 to £174.50, in line with the average consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation of 2.96% between October 2023 and September 2024.
“We welcome confirmation that the licence fee will increase in line with inflation next year,” said a spokesperson for the BBC.
“We want everyone to get value from the licence fee and we are committed to delivering trusted news, the best homegrown storytelling and those special moments that bring us together.”
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