Free TV licence scheme extended

Tuesday 23 June 2020

The BBC has confirmed it has decided to extend the existing age-related free TV licences scheme for residents over 75-year's-old in Guernsey and Alderney until the end of this year.

Under the existing arrangements with the States of Guernsey, the cost of the scheme is being funded by the BBC.

The BBC’s decision means that anyone already over the age of 75 who receives a free TV licence will continue to do so until the end of the year.

Those people don’t need to take any action as their licences will be extended automatically. The BBC has also indicated that the licences covering the period to 31 December 2020 will be automatically issued from the end of July.

The free licence scheme for over 75s has not been open to new entrants since 2016, so anyone who turned 75 after 1 September, 2016, is unable to benefit. However, the States of Guernsey does fund TV licences for Guernsey and Alderney residents over pensionable age (currently 65 and 2 months) who receive income support.

In the UK, the BBC has already said the policy of giving free TV licences to everyone aged over 75 will stop, and instead a free TV licence will be issued to any household with someone aged over 75 who receives the UK’s Pension Credit.

There is no direct equivalent to that benefit in the Bailiwick. However, the BBC has signalled its commitment to the principle of equal treatment for all British licence fee payers.

The BBC is due to consider the future of the over-75 scheme for the Bailiwick later this year. The BBC has indicated that a public consultation will take place within the Bailiwick before any decision is made.