Free TV licences

In 1999, the UK Government introduced free TV licences for all people aged over 75, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

However, in 2015, the Conservative Government transferred the financial responsibility to the BBC, effective from 2020.

This shift meant that decisions about the continuation of the benefit would be made by the BBC rather than elected officials.

The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum strongly opposed this move challenging the privatisation of welfare policy and arguing that social benefits should remain under government control. We further opposed the means-testing of the TV licence, which was now restricting free licences only to the over 75s who were in receipt of pension credit.

The SPF were incensed by the lack of consideration given to the social impact that withdrawing this benefit would have, particularly on socially isolated and vulnerable older people.

The SPF believed that the TV licence was a vital lifeline, and not a luxury, which helped to combat loneliness and social isolation and would allow them to keep up with the news and current affairs.

The SPF immediately sprang into action launching a petition via 38 Degrees titled “Save the Free TV Licence for Over 75s”, thereby urging the Westminster Government to reverse the decision and reinstate the universal entitlement.

The SPF submitted a formal response to the BBC consultation, highlighting the detrimental effects of the policy change.

The SPF also organised demonstrations and public awareness campaigns to garner support and to pressure decision-makers. These demonstrations received widespread press and media attention.

The SPF’s campaign work triggered a UK-wide petition titled “Fund Free TV Licences for All Pensioners” gathered over 37,000 signatures, prompting a response from government.

The campaigning groups involved argued that many pensioners were already living on the cusp of poverty and could not afford the added coast of a TV licence on top of sacrifices being made by them to help combat the cost-of-living crisis.

All of the campaigns on the TV licence issue have continued to receive widespread media coverage and support from other organisations concerned with older people’s welfare.

The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum has played a pivotal role in defending the rights of older people to access the free TV licence, contributing to a policy reversal that will now benefit millions of pensioners across the UK.

In a major policy shift, the UK Government announced that starting from January 1 2026, all pensioners aged 65 and over will be entitled to a free TV licence, regardless of income or benefits status.

We believe that this marks a significant victory for the SPF.