From June next year, only over-75s who claim Pension Credit will be eligible for a free licence ALAMYThree million over-75s will be stripped of their free television licences from next year after the BBC decided to means-test the benefit. From June 2020, only over-75s who claim Pension Credit will be eligible for a free licence. All other pensioners will have to pay the full cost, at present £154.50 a year. Maintaining the subsidy in its present form would have cost £745 million a year and required the closure of BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four and a swathe of radio stations, the corporation said. The new means-tested scheme is expected to cost £250 million a year.

Source: The Times June 10, 2019 16:07 UTC