The cost of a colour television licence will rise by £3 to £142.50 from April 1

Black and white only licences will also go up by £1 from £47 to £48, it was confirmed.

The increase is being brought into effect by an order laid in the House of Commons.

It follows the six-year BBC funding settlement which began in April 2007.

The licence fee increase is set at 3% for the first two years of the settlement and 2% in years three, four and five. This year is year three.

The six-year settlement is helping the BBC cope with a period of rapid change.

It will help support the digital switchover in 2012, including funding and delivery of a help scheme to vulnerable people.

The corporation is also in the process of moving significant production to the north west of England, which should bring an estimated £1.5 billion and 15,500 jobs to the area.