Campaigners have urged the government to halt any increase in the TV licence fee until the BBC agrees to make it free for everyone over 75.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fee has been frozen at \u00a3159 for two years but will grow due to inflation for four years beginning next spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is increased to meet wider price increases, this will add over \u00a315 to the cost next year, bringing it to \u00a3173.30, the largest increase in 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The specific mechanism for calculating inflation-linked hikes could be decided by the end of this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ministers are also expected to announce a formal review of licencing fee funding, which has been deemed unsustainable by Whitehall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rishi Sunak, in a clear indication that the government may interfere to avoid or minimise the hike, said the BBC should be “realistic” about what it can expect people to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated that all government agencies should “cut their cloth accordingly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The licence fee was free to the over-75s until the BBC axed the concession in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downing Street said it would not comment on specifics of the review, but that a decision was close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You can expect a decision on the licence fee very soon,” stated the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman. We have agreed to conducting that review prior to the charter’s expiration in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That will include the potential to include alternative ways to ensure the BBC remains appropriately funded.”<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Campaigners have urged the government to halt any increase in the TV licence fee until the BBC agrees to make it free for everyone over 75. The fee has been … <\/p>\n