TV Licensing is sending out refunds of up to 174 to households that have recently cancelled their television licences
(Image: John Lamb via Getty Images)
Hundreds of thousands of households across the UK are in line for refunds of up to £174 from TV Licensing, following a significant shift in viewing habits. Last year saw roughly 300,000 households ditch their television licences, opting instead for streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that the TV licence fee could climb from its current £174.50 to approximately £181, reflecting September’s inflation rate of 3.8 per cent. However, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport has made clear that no final decision has been taken regarding next year’s licence fee, with any official announcement expected in due course.
The potential increase would add nearly £7 to household bills nationwide, though the exact figure awaits confirmation in the coming weeks. Refunds and discounts remain available for specific groups, including Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Pension Credit claimants, blind people, care home residents, and those living in shared accommodation.
We have a dedicated newsletter for ChronicleLive’s money-saving and cost of living stories. It’s free and you can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest money news and budgeting tips as well as stories on the cost of living crisis in our region.
At present, a standard TV Licence is priced at £174.50. Many households opt to spread the cost through Direct Debit instalments, paying from £14.54 each month.
Various concessions and alternative licence types can also be arranged, reports Birmingham Live, reports the Mirror.
The developments come against the backdrop of unexpected departures at the top of the BBC, with director general Tim Davie and BBC News head Deborah Turness both resigning.
Samir Shah has admitted the BBC mishandled an internal review of the matter but firmly rejected suggestions the corporation had suppressed stories or failed to address bias allegations, insisting these claims were “simply not true”. David Yelland, who was editor of the Sun from 1998 to 2003 and now presents a BBC podcast, branded the exits as “a coup” whilst speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey raised alarm bells on Monday, insisting it was vital for Britain to shield the BBC from overseas meddling.
“It should be extremely concerning to us all to see the President of the United States pressuring the BBC over its leadership and attacking its journalists as corrupt,” Davey wrote.
“It should not be up to foreign powers to dictate where the British people get their news from. We must stand united to defend our democracy from foreign interference like this – even when it comes from a crucial ally.”