Overview

• A recent analysis reveals that 475,000 UK households eligible for a free TV licence have not claimed it, resulting in missed annual savings of £174.50 per household.
• Approximately 425,000 seniors over the age of 75 are eligible for pension credit but have not applied, while 50,000 pension credit recipients are not claiming their free TV licence.
• The cost of a standard TV licence increased from £169.50 to £174.50 in April 2025, exacerbating financial strain on low-income households.
• Policy in Practice has called for improved outreach and pilot auto-enrolment initiatives to simplify access to pension credit and related benefits.
• Pension credit not only provides a free TV licence but also unlocks additional benefits like cold weather payments and warm home discounts.