The BBC is to delay the scrapping of TV licences for the over-75s until August 1st because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Free TV licences for up to 3.7 million people had been due to be scrapped on June 1st, but BBC chairman Sir David Clementi explained that “now is not the right time” because of the “exceptional circumstances”.
He added: “We are fully focused on delivering our services to the public at this difficult time.” The BBC confirmed it will foot the cost of the two-month delay.
Last year, the Corporation announced that only low-income households in which one person received the pension credit benefit would be eligible for a free licence from June 2020.
On Monday, amid the growing spread of the coronavirus, the BBC and the government issued a joint statement saying they “do not want anyone to be worried about any potential change” at the current time.
“The BBC’s priority over the coming period will be to do everything we can to serve the nation at this uniquely challenging time,” the statement said. “As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a vital role to play in supplying information to the public in the weeks and months ahead.”
“Recognising the exceptional circumstances, the BBC board has therefore decided to change the start date of the new policy. Our current plan is to now bring it into place on 1 August. We will of course keep the issue under review as the situation continues to evolve.”
Free TV licences for the over-75s have been provided by the government since 2000, but responsibility for the provision is being passed to the BBC as part of its last licence fee settlement.
Age UK welcomed “a victory for common sense”, but questioned whether an eight-week delay “will be anything like long enough”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “I am pleased the BBC has worked with us and agreed to delay their licence fee changes for over-75s from coming in and will keep this under review.
“It will be welcome news to millions of older people who now don’t need to worry about their TV licence during this challenging period.
“It is right that the BBC have recognised the exceptional circumstances posed by the coronavirus outbreak and the need for the whole country to pull together in the national effort.”
A 2018 report estimated that continuing to providing free licences for the 2020/2021 financial year would cost the BBC around £700m.
