BBC licence fee set to rise from £154.50 to £157.50 in April

The annual cost of the TV licence fee will increase from £154.50 to £157.50 from 1 April, the BBC confirmed today.

The Government is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee and announced in 2016 it would rise in line with inflation for five years from 1 April 2017.

The new charge equates to £3.02 per week or £13.13 per month, the BBC said.

The price change will not currently have an impact on the free over-75s TV licence.

Changes to the current system, which sees elderly viewers in the age bracket get a licence for free, are not set to come in until June.

Licence fee payers will receive a reminder or a payment plan reflecting the new amount when their licence is next due for renewal.

Those buying or renewing a licence after 1 April 2020 will pay the new fee.

Those already buying a licence on an instalment scheme which started before 1 April 2020, such as monthly direct debit or weekly cash payments, will continue to make payments totalling £154.50 until their licence comes up for renewal