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Calls are being made for all pensioners to get a free TV Licence(Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\nA petition has been created asking the Government to provide free TV Licences for pensioners as many ‘live on the breadline with only the TV for company’Calls are being made for all pensioners to get a free TV Licence(Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n
A campaign to give free TV Licences to all State Pensioners<\/a> has reached a major milestone. More than 10,740 people have now signed an online petition urging the Government to fund the licence fee for all pensioners.<\/p>\n The Government <\/a>responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures. So this campaign has now passed that threshold and an official response is awaited.<\/p>\n At 100,000 signatures, this petition <\/a>will be considered for debate in Parliament. Under the existing rules, only older people over the age of 75 in receipt of Pension Credit can receive a free TV licence<\/a>, saving \u00a3174.50 on the annual fee. This comes as ChronicleLive outlined<\/a> which pensioners will not be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments in 2025.<\/p>\n The \u2018Fund free TV licences for all pensioners\u2019 petition has been posted on the UK Government\u2019s petitions-parliament website. Petition creator Michael Thompson said: “We want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age.<\/p>\n “When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence. Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company.<\/p>\n “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. 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.”<\/p>\n The Government has committed to increasing the BBC<\/a> TV licence fee in line with inflation each year until 2027. The rise from \u00a3169.50 to \u00a3174.50 in April followed years in which the licence fee was first frozen and then increased at a slower rate than the BBC expected, leaving the corporation increasingly cash-strapped, reports the Daily Record<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, the Culture Secretary has left the door open to wealthier households paying more for their TV licence as she considers alternatives to the annual fee. Earlier this year, Lisa Nandy said she could be open to replacing the flat licence fee with a sliding scale after a suggestion by the BBC\u2019s new chairman.<\/p>\n Who needs to buy a TV licence<\/p>\n A TV Licence is needed in the UK to watch or record any programmes as they are being broadcast live on television. It is also required to watch or stream live programming on any online TV streaming service, such as BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Amazon prime and YouTube You can check if you need a TV licence on the TV Licensing website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Can you get a discount?<\/p>\n Certain groups are entitled to TV Licence discounts such as those who live in care homes, who could get it for free or pay a reduced amount if they are part of an Accommodation for Residential Care scheme – find out more here.<\/a> People who are registered blind or severely sight impaired are entitled to a half price TV Licence (\u00a387.25) and may be eligible for a refund on payments made in previous years – if they have been the registered TV licence holder.<\/p>\n Free TV Licence for over-75s<\/p>\n