Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the change to the TV licence concession for the over-75s from June 2020; how that change will affect the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) TV licence; and how they intend to communicate any impact on ARC TV licences to those who live and work in residential care homes.

The BBC is responsible for the cost and the administration of the over 75 licence fee concession from June 2020.

The BBC is committed to working with older people’s groups, charities and voluntary organisations to design a bespoke system to support all those over 75 affected by its decision. As part of this system, the BBC says that its licensing arm, TV Licensing, will make it as easy as possible for carers and family members to act as representatives for pensioners seeking to claim a free TV licence, including those in residential care homes.

The Government has no intention to change the accommodation for residential care licence fee concession. Guidance on the accommodation for residential care licence fee concession can be found on the TV Licensing website: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ78