TV licence fee rises from 1 April

The cost of a colour television licence is set to rise to £139.50 and a black and white licence will cost £47.00, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

The increase, to be brought into effect by an order laid in the House of Commons today, follows the six-year BBC funding settlement which began in April 2007.

The licence fee will increase by three per cent for the first two years of the settlement and two per cent in years three, four and five. An increase of up to two per cent in year six will be set nearer the time.

The changes will come into effect on 1 April this year.