End of universal, free TV licence for pensioners called ‘sad day’ by charity

The BBC will now means-test the entitlement, having previously delayed its introduction because of the pandemic.

Over-75s must receive pension credit to receive the free TV licence, which costs £157.50.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said: “This is a sad day for our older population, many of whom are feeling badly let down by both the government and the BBC over the demise of these free licences.”

She said that “more than half a million of the poorest pensioners will still have to pay for a licence, cut spending on other essentials like food or heating, give up TV altogether or keep watching without a licence, in breach of the law” because they still do not qualify for pension credit.

“It is deplorable that any older person should have to make such a horrible choice.”

The BBC has said that it cannot afford to continue the universal entitlement.