TV Licensing has released a statement regarding the penalties households could face for failing to pay their TV licence. The current annual fee of £174.50 is required to watch live or on-demand television programmes, though it is set to rise to around £180 from April 2026.

Sian Williams, chair of the Financial Inclusion Commission, raised concerns that people often receive “threatening” letters when failing to pay the fee during her recent appearance before MPs. She further explained that people often receive multiple letters containing intimidating language.

She said: “There’s a whole narrative there that the state is not held to the same standards that the FCA holds the industry to.” Her comments came as she addressed the Treasury Committee about financial inclusion, urging policymakers to “look again at the way the state talks to citizens about money that it is owed”.

TV Licensing was questioned about the type of letters it sends out to people not have a TV licence when they should. A TV Licence spokesperson responded: “The maximum sentence a court can impose for the offence of licence fee evasion is a fine up to £1000, and we make this clear in our customer communications.”

However, court action over an unpaid licence is always a “last resort”, according to the organisation. It says that its main aim is to ensure that people have the appropriate licence in place, reports the Mirror.

Nevertheless, it added that it is obliged to collect the fee and will contact properties where no TV licence record exists or where current licensing requirements “are unknown”.

TV Licensing explained: “This activity is part of our ongoing efforts to maximise licence fee collection from those that require a licence, and minimise evasion.”

It will also explain what a licence covers and provide information on payment methods.

Should there be no response, either by purchasing a licence or submitting a ‘no licence needed’ declaration, the organisation sends further letters containing warnings about the possible ramifications of failing to obtain a licence.

TV licensing also clarified that it communicates with its customers via letters, email, its customer service line, as part of its communication campaigns, and on social media.

That said, certain people can obtain their TV licence at no cost. Those claiming Pension Credit who are 75 or older qualify for a free TV licence. Older Brits are encouraged to check whether or not they are eligible for this state pension age benefit, which provides, on average, £4,300 in additional support each year.

The benefit includes an add-on to your weekly income, raising it to £227.10 per week for single claimants or £346.60 per week for couples. Additional amounts may be available on top of the income top-up, but it depends on circumstances, such as whether you have a severe disability or you care for another adult.