Overview

• About 8,335 people have signed an official petition urging the Government to fund TV licences for all state pensioners, including those reaching the retirement age of 66.
• On the petitions-parliament website, a written government response is triggered at 10,000 signatures and petitions reaching 100,000 may be considered for a parliamentary debate.
• The TV licence costs £174.50 a year after an April increase, with ministers pledging inflation-linked rises through 2027.
• Free licences are presently available only to over-75s who receive Pension Credit, and eligible recipients can apply at age 74 for coverage from their 75th birthday.
• Campaigners cite rising living costs as the driver for broader concessions, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has signalled openness to exploring a sliding-scale funding model proposed by BBC chair Samir Shah.