The annual TV licence fee will rise for the second year in a row, from £147 to £150.50, it has been announced.

The Government confirmed on Thursday that the annual cost for BBC programming would go up again, having risen in 2017 for the first time since 2010.

It will continue to increase in line with inflation for five years, with the charge applicable to anyone using a traditional TV, computer or any other piece of equipment to watch or record programmes.

The announcement comes as the BBC faces scrutiny over gender pay inequality, with China editor Carrie Gracie having resigned and six male presenters agreeing to a salary cut.

Licence fee payers will receive a reminder of the new amount when they next need to renew, with anyone buying or renewing after 1 April made to pay the new higher fee.


Anyone who bought a licence on an instalment scheme that started before 1 April will continue to pay £147 until their renewal date, with TV Licensing to remind fee payers due to renew in March to pay on time to avoid the rise.