BBC scraps free TV licence for Guernsey pensioners

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Islanders over the age of 75 who aren't on income support will have to pay for their own TV licences from next year, after the BBC announced it will no longer be granting concessions.

The organisation will be writing to around 3,000 local residents in December to tell them they won't be eligible for a free licence from 1 January 2021.

In the UK, the free licence scheme ended in August and, following a consultation in the Bailiwick over the summer, the BBC has decided to extend that decision to island residents.

Pictured: Those of pensionable age on income support will still have their licences paid for.

The States decided to close the island's own over-75 TV licence scheme to new entrants in 2015 but, as part of the future policy and funding arrangements with the BBC, transitional provisions were agreed to share the cost of funding the scheme until 2019, when the BBC took responsibility for it.

Although the scheme is now being scrapped, over-75s on income support will still get a free licence, paid for by the BBC. Meanwhile the States will cover licences for those between pensionable age and 75 on income support.