Free TV licence for over-75s will be means tested from August 1, BBC confirms 

The free TV licence for over-75s will be means-tested from August 1, the BBC has said.

More than three million households will be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee from next month after controversial plans to end free licences for all pensioners over the age threshold were given the green light.

Households which don’t have to pay must include someone who receives the Pension Credit benefit.

The change was originally due to be made on June 1, and delaying the move has cost the corporation some £35million a month. 

With an ageing population, the total cost to the BBC could have reached £1bn a year, bosses said. 

There have previously been warnings that allowing the licence to continue being free for all over 75 would lead to ‘unprecedented closures’ of services.   

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