A New Punishment For Not Paying Your TV Licence Is About To Be Introduced

The punishment for failing to pay your TV Licence looks set to change due to a new government stance on the matter.

At a current cost of almost £170 a year, a valid TV Licence is currently required for anyone who watches live television on any channel in their home - not just the BBC.

The licence is also required for tuning in to the BBC iPlayer or watching live content as it happens on streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video (such as Premier League matches) and even Netlfix live-streamed events.

The second most common crime in the UK - behind driving offences - historically, people who are found to be watching tv without a licence are sent to Magistrates’ Court where they can face a fine of up to £1,000.

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However, things now look set to change as the Labour government look to ‘decriminalise’ the offence.

As reported by The Times, culture secretary Lisa Nandy and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood are said to be preparing to change the law so that non-payment is not a criminal offence, with the pair highlighting the fact that women are being 'disproportionately' targeted by the system.

A senior government source said: “The administrative burden of policing non-payment of the licence fee should not be falling on the taxpayer. It should be carved out. It’s not worth the hassle it creates.”

Wondering if students need a TV Licence? Find out here.

Is the Licence Fee being scrapped?

While there are no current plans to get rid of the Licence Fee, the previous Conservative government had raised the idea of the funding model for the BBC moving to a voluntary subscription service - a proposal that the current government is reported to be looking into as well.

Alongside subscription possibilities, other options being examined to ‘modernise’ the BBC’s funding include adding further commercialisation to the broadcaster and covering the fee through general taxation.

The news comes after Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said in July that his government is 'committed to the BBC and committed to the licensing arrangements’.

The current model for the BBC is guaranteed to remain in place until at least 31 December, 2027, when a new royal charter comes into place at which point the funding method, ethics and purpose of the corporation will all be confirmed.

Do you go straight to court for not paying your TV Licence?

TV Licensing stresses that you will only go to court over non-payment after 'considerable' attempts to raise the issue with you have been taken.

On prosecutions, a TV Licensing spokesperson said: “We have a duty to enforce the law when there is evidence that someone has avoided paying for a TV Licence.

“What we have done is made considerable efforts to help people get licensed and offer help and support. So, while we take appropriate action where necessary, we work hard to support those most in need, offering a number of concessions and payment plans to ensure people can obtain a licence in the way that suits them best.

“Our focus on collecting the licence fee fairly and efficiently ensures that the overwhelming majority of households are correctly licensed.”