The Government has announced that the TV licence fee will rise by £5.50 from April.
It will take the annual fee to £180, following an agreement made in 2022 for it to rise in line with inflation each year.
The move comes following the launch of the public consultation on the future of the BBC, ahead of the Charter renewal in 2027.
Households in severe financial difficulty can get additional support with the Licence Fee and it remains free for those over-75 on Pension Credit.
READ MORE – Government launches public consultation for 2027 BBC Charter renewal
The government stated that the increased cost would help keep the BBC “on a stable financial footing.”
94% of UK adults use the BBC every month and it remains the country’s most widely used and trusted news outlet.
The consultation ahead of the charter renewal will explore future funding models, including advertising or a subscription tier and how the corporation can survive in the streaming era. It will also examine whether the BBC should get additional responsibilities to counter misinformation and disinformation.
S4C, which receives all its public funding from the licence fee, will also see its revenue increase proportionately, receiving approximately £100 million in 2026/27 to support the growth of the Welsh creative industries.
