State pensioners have renewed calls for an exemption to paying the BBC licence fee in a “desperate” plea. A petition launched on Parliament UK asked the Government to pay for their TV license instead, funding the service for people once they reach the official retirement age, which is currently 66.

The petition, launched by Michael Thompson, argued that the TV is an essential companion for older people, but they are struggling to pay amid the cost-of-living crisis. It said: “Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession.”

He called it a “double outrage” that pensioners had to pay for the licence while media personalities earn huge figures.

He said: “We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit. Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries.”

Older people can receive a free licence, but only once they are aged 75 and over, if they or their partner at the same address receives Pension Credit.

It currently costs Brits £174.50 per year to watch the BBC; however, the fee is set to rise once again in April to £180. It has already risen by £15.50 since 2024, and the growing cost has come under scrutiny from Reform UK and the Tories.

Nigel Farage said the telly tax “cannot survive” and was “wholly unsustainable”. He argued that the corporation should focus on news and should be forced to compete for subscriptions in sports and entertainment.

Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch warned that “if it wants to justify the licence fee, the BBC needs to reflect a broad spectrum of views in Britain”.

It has launched a public consultation and Green Paper to review future options for funding the BBC. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy previously said “no options are off the table”.

Reports suggested the BBC was working on ways to use its iPlayer service to link accounts with home addresses, so it could find households that have not paid for a TV licence.

A DCMS statement said: “The Government recognises the financial pressures on households and is committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable. The government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this charter period.”