The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed that households across Britain will pay £180 annually for their television licence from April 1, 2026.
This represents a £5.50 yearly increase, working out to approximately 46p extra each month.
The adjustment follows the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, which mandates that the fee tracks the consumer price index until the current BBC Charter Period concludes.
Ministers have said the rise will provide the Corporation with a stable financial foundation, enabling it to fulfil its public service obligations and continue supporting the nation’s creative sector.
TV licence fee rises
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Figures show that 94 per cent of UK adults engaged with its services monthly during the past year.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the licence fee model for the duration of the current Charter Period, whilst acknowledging the financial pressures facing households.
A Charter Review is presently underway, examining how the Corporation can be sustainably funded whilst maintaining impartial editorial standards and delivering value to those who pay for its services.
The change will come to affect in April
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GB News
Those experiencing severe financial hardship can access the Simple Payment Plan, which allows the cost to be spread across smaller instalments throughout the year.
Pensioners aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit remain entitled to a free licence, whilst care home residents and blind individuals benefit from reduced rates.
The Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, which derives its entire public funding from licence fee revenue, will receive a proportionate boost to approximately £100million for the 2026/27 financial year.
This allocation is intended to bolster the growth of Wales’s creative industries.
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