Coronavirus: BBC delays licence fee changes as over-70s to be told to self-isolate for months

‘We are in exceptional circumstances. Now is not the right time,’ chair of corporation says

The government and BBC will delay the end of the free TV licence for those over 75 as the elderly could be asked to stay home in the coming weeks to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The free licences were due to be scrapped on 1 June, but the corporation and government have said the change will not take place until 1 August.

A joint statement said: “The BBC and the government have been discussing the national coronavirus situation. Changes to the TV licence for people aged over 75 had been due to come into effect on 1 June. But during this time we do not want anyone to be worried about any potential change.

“The BBC’s priority over the coming period will be to do everything we can to serve the nation at this uniquely challenging time. 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.”

Chair of the BBC, Sir David Clementi, said: “The BBC board has decided to delay changes to over 75s licence fees.

“We are in exceptional circumstances. Now is not the right time. We are fully focussed on delivering our services to the public at this difficult time.”

The 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.”

In 2015, the government and the BBC reached a settlement which meant the broadcaster had to find savings of £800m by 2021/22.

It also saw the broadcaster commit to taking on responsibility for the funding of free licences for the over-75s.

MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee have said the next round of negotiations between the government and the BBC should agree a funding formula that maintains free TV licences for all over-75s, specifically recommending that the government set out proposals for how it could support this measure in future, alongside the commitment that had been made by the BBC.

Additional reporting by Press Association