Latest news with #TVLicence
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Seven reasons you can get a refund on your TV Licence as 300,000 stop paying
HOUSEHOLDS can claim a refund on their TV Licence through seven avenues as 300,000 stop paying. Recent figures from the BBC revealed 23.8million licences were in force at the end of 2024/25, down from 24.1million in 2023/24. 1 But rather than ditch paying for a licence, there are some circumstances where you might be eligible for a refund instead. TV receiving equipment is no longer in use Refunds can be issued if a licence holder stops using TV receiving equipment at their address. The licence holder should not watch TV channels on any TV service, watch live TV on streaming services, or use BBC iPlayer. This includes recording and downloading programmes on any TV receiving device, like an iPad. The address is covered by another licence Refunds can also be issued where the licence holder moves to a different address where they are covered by someone else's licence. For example, if you move out of your home and into your parents' or partner's address. TV Licence is bought in error Someone who has bought a licence when they don't need one is eligible for a refund. For example, if a licence was bought when there was already one in place at an address. The TV Licensing website says if a licence was bought in error as a result of advice given by TV Licensing, the customer can claim up to six years' worth of refunds. A replacement TV Licence has been bought You can also get a refund if you move to another type of TV licence, replacing an existing one. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence For example, if you move from a £174.50 colour TV Licence to a Black and White TV Licence, which costs £58.50. Refunds are given for any unused months left on your existing licence. The full list of circumstances where you can make a claim in this situation is found via - Blind concession refunds A refund of up to half the licence fee can be given if a licence holder has a blind certificate issued by a local authority or ophthalmologist. So, if you've bought a TV Licence and are later found to be blind, you could be eligible for a refund on the amount you've overpaid. Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application You can get a refund for each month remaining on your TV Licence if you are found to qualify for a free one. For example, you can get a free TV Licence if you're 75 or older and receiving Pension Credit. Refunds due to the death of a licence holder You can apply for a refund for any complete months left on your licence if the licence holder has died. In this instance, the executor of someone's will should get in touch with TV Licensing to report the death and inform them who will be responsible for the licence going forward. How to apply for a TV Licence refund You can apply for a free TV Licence up to 14 days before the date you no longer need it. You can claim the refund online via - TV Licensing says it aims to issue any refund within 21 days of receiving any application. Refunds are paid as a cheque or directly into your bank account. Or, you can contact the TV Licensing call centre on 0300 790 6096. How to watch TV legally without paying for a licence YOU can legally use the following services without a TV Licence as long as you aren't using them to watch or stream live TV: On demand TV – such as catch-up TV and on demand previews, which are available through services including ITV Player, All 4, My5, BT Vision/BT TV, Virgin Media, Sky Go, Now TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. You can't watch or download programmes on BBC iPlayer without a TV licence. On demand movies - from services such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Recorded films and programmes - either via DVD or Blu-ray, or downloaded from the internet. YouTube - Video clips that aren't live through services such as YouTube.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Grandparents can slash TV Licence bill to £0 in just 16 minutes – check if you're eligible
GRANDPARENTS can slash their TV Licence bill to £0 and unlock thousands of pounds in free cash in just 16 minutes. A TV Licence costs £174.50 a year, £5 up from £169.50 before April, but you can get a 100% discount through a Government benefit. 1 Pension Credit is paid to state pensioners on low incomes and is designed to top up your weekly income to a minimum level. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says the average claim is worth £3,900 and it takes just 16 minutes to apply for the benefit online. But Pension Credit also opens up a host of other perks including help with housing costs, council tax and a free TV Licence. You can get a free TV Licence if you're 75 or older, and you or your partner are receiving the benefit. If you're already on Pension Credit, you can apply for a free licence when you are 74. You have to pay for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday but are covered by your free licence after this. If you have paid for a TV Licence then qualified for Pension Credit, you may be able to get a refund on any remaining months on your current paid-for licence. This is processed when you apply. You can apply for a free TV Licence via - If you already have a TV Licence, sign in and apply for your free one via the link on this page. Could you be eligible for Pension Credit? If you don't have a TV Licence currently and are already on Pension Credit, you can apply for a new one via the link on this same page. You can also call 0300 790 6117 and speak to someone between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. If you claim a free TV Licence through Pension Credit you can't claim another one for a second home. What is Pension Credit? Pension Credit is means-tested meaning your income is taken into account when deciding whether you qualify. It is designed to top up the incomes of those of state pension age and older. Take-up has surged since a Government drive to get more claiming the benefit was launched last year. Figures published by the DWP in May revealed 321,000 applications were made in the 2024/25 financial year, an increase of 69,900 (28%) compared to 2023/24. It comes after the Government shook up the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment meaning only those on certain benefits including Pension Credit qualified. Ministers have since rowed back on this, meaning anyone with an income of £35,000 or less now qualifies. Pension Credit is split into two parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This level is currently: £227.10 if you're single £346.60 if you're a couple Savings Credit is extra money for those with some savings or an income higher than the basic state pension. It's available to people who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016. You could get up to: £17.30 extra per week if you're single £19.36 extra per week if you're a couple Even if your weekly income is worth £227.10 or more if you're single or £346.60 or more if you're a couple, you may still qualify if your income is over these thresholds and: you're a carer you have a severe disability you have certain housing costs, such as service charges you're responsible for a child or young person who usually lives with you You can start a claim for Pension Credit up to four months before reaching state pension age. You can also apply any time after reaching state pension age but can only get payments backdated by three months. You'll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one before applying: National Insurance number information about any income, savings and investments you have information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age) You'll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number. You can apply via .
Edinburgh Live
22-06-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Nocturnal habit that could be an early warning sign of stroke or heart failure
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The largest study of its kind has unveiled that a common night-time condition could serve as an early warning sign for dangerous hypertension or high blood pressure. The research, conducted by sleep experts at Flinders University, found that individuals, particularly overweight middle-aged men, who regularly snore at night are more likely to have increased blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension. This study, published in the Nature Digital Medicine journal, is the first to use multiple night home-based monitoring technologies over an extended period to investigate the link between snoring and blood pressure. "For the first time, we can objectively say that there is a significant link between regular nighttime snoring and high blood pressure," announced lead author Dr Bastien Lechat from the College of Medicine and Public Health. READ MORE - Dad wins landmark TV Licence battle after cancelling to stream from games console READ MORE - Coronation Street star died on benefits as 'virtual recluse' after acting career "We discovered that 15 per cent of all participants in the study, who were primarily overweight men, snore for more than 20 per cent of the night on average and that this regular nightly snoring is associated with elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension," Dr Lechat added. NHS simple tips to stop snoring:, reports Surrey Live. "These results underscore the importance of considering snoring as a factor in healthcare and treatment for sleep-related issues, particularly in managing hypertension." Snoring, while common, often is not recognised for the health hazards it can pose, and frequently occurs alongside sleep apnoea – which involves sudden stops in breathing as one sleeps. "We found that those who snore regularly had almost double the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. This risk nearly doubled again in individuals who snored regularly and suffered from sleep apnoea compared to those who didn't snore regularly," Professor Danny Eckert, Director of Sleep Health at Flinders University and senior author of the study, explained. Involving 72,269 UK Biobank participants aged between 40 to 79, new research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health did not determine exactly how strict one must be with their sleeping schedule but noted that greater deviation led to increased health risks. Jean-Philippe Chaput from the University of Ottawa and lead author of the study remarked: "We should aim to wake up and go to sleep within 30 minutes of the same time each night and each morning, including weekends. Within an hour of the same time is good but less good than 30 minutes, and even better is to have zero variation. "Beyond an hour's difference each night and each morning means irregular sleep. That can have negative health impacts. The closer you are to zero variation the better." While the odd sleepless night won't cause lasting harm, consistently disrupted sleep patterns can have severe consequences. "No one is perfect across a whole year, and if you don't have a regular sleep pattern for one or two days a week, it's not going to kill you. But if you repeatedly have irregular sleep, five or six days a week, then it becomes chronic, and that is a problem." Snoring could be an early indicator of high blood pressure, as the poor-quality sleep it causes may increase the risk of developing hypertension. Prolonged high blood pressure can lead to severe health issues, including heart failure, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. In a nine-month study of over 12,000 participants worldwide, researchers used data from sleep trackers under mattresses to monitor snoring and sleep apnoea. They also used FDA-registered home blood pressure monitors. "This is the largest study to date investigating the potential relationships between snoring, sleep apnoea and hypertension using objective assessments in people's homes, and it reveals important insights into the potential consequences of snoring on hypertension risk," Dr Lechat said. The study highlights the importance of addressing snoring in clinical practice and sleep disorder management, particularly in controlling high blood pressure. "The findings of this study pave the way to further investigate whether therapeutic interventions directed toward snoring can reduce hypertension and reduce the risks associated with it," he stated. If you're snoring and also notice poor sleep quality, constant tiredness or breathing difficulties while asleep, seeking advice from your GP or a specialist is recommended, and they could suggest undergoing a sleep study. For more details as provided by the NHS, follow this link.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man thought he'd beaten the system - then a letter turned up
A man is celebrating after a case about his TV licence was thrown out of court. Lee Stuart had applied for a TV licence when he moved to a new house, but later decided to cancel it because he did not watch any live television. However, after a conversation with a TV Licence inspection officer where he confirmed as much, he was shocked to find a letter saying he was in breach of licence requirements and was facing a hefty fine. According to guidance on the TV Licensing website, a licence is required to watch or record live TV on any channel or device, including live programming streamed online via services such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. A licence is also necessary for using BBC iPlayer, reports the ECHO. READ MORE: He was stopped by police on the M6 - now he's spending years behind bars READ MORE: Aldi reveals 20 locations it wants to open new stores - full list A TV Licensing spokesperson told the newspaper: 'If a property we believe should be licensed is unlicensed, letters are sent to that address advising of the requirement for a TV Licence if the occupant watches live TV or other licensable content. This stops for one year when the occupant declares they don't need a licence, when letters will resume to check if circumstances have changed.' In September last year, Mr Stuart was visited by a TV Licensing inspection officer. He described the visit as an opportunity to explain his viewing habits in person, adding: 'I told him I didn't pay for a TV licence because I didn't think I needed one because I don't watch live TV. 'I don't even have an aerial installed in my TV, and I invited him to do his checks. He was a bit apprehensive, but he looked at everything and asked me what I used the TV for. "So I told him I just watch Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation, and he asked me if I used BBC iPlayer and I said, 'no'.' Following the inspection, Mr Stuart said the officer confirmed he was not in breach of licensing requirements. Mr Stuart, from Kirkby, described how the officer documented their conversation and read back the main points, including that no live TV was being watched and no BBC iPlayer account was used. He added: 'It was official, and I agreed with what he had said, so when I was presented with the big white signature box, I just signed it, and then he left. To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a licence.' However, in January this year, Mr Stuart received a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), which covers those who are alleged to have watched TV without a licence. Lee explained: 'It said if I pleaded not guilty, the fine would be larger and I may have to pay court costs. So I'm not sure what's going on at this point. 'I looked through it all, and at the back was the inspector's statement. Straight away I clocked the question, 'May I come in to inspect the TV receiver?' and it said 'no' in the answer box, so that was wrong because I did. 'The next point was saying I admitted to watching the news last week. So I've refused him entry and then admitted on the step I watched live news last week? It didn't make any sense.' Mr Stuart chose to contest the notice and represented himself at Sefton Magistrates Court. He said: 'I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn't paying for a TV licence that I didn't need so I fought it.' "I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience.' The court dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence. A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted.' The ECHO understands that while both the officer and Mr Stuart gave credible in-person testimony, the magistrates could not find the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Stuart, initially pleased with the outcome, later received a further letter from TV Licensing advising of the licence requirement. He has since submitted a formal complaint and a No Licence Needed (NLN) declaration. He added: 'The form asks at the end, 'What outcome do you want from this?' and I just put 'All I want is to be left alone, but an apology wouldn't go amiss'.' TV Licensing confirmed it has now received Mr Stuart's NLN declaration.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man thought he'd beaten TV licence system - then a letter turned up
A man from Kirkby is celebrating after a court case relating to his TV licence was dismissed at Sefton Magistrates Court. Lee Stuart applied for a TV licence when he moved into his property, but later decided to cancel it because he did not watch any live television and instead relied solely on online streaming platforms. According to guidance on the TV Licensing website, a licence is required to watch or record live TV on any channel or device, including live programming streamed online via services such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. A licence is also necessary for using BBC iPlayer. A TV Licensing spokesperson told the Liverpool ECHO: 'If a property we believe should be licensed is unlicensed, letters are sent to that address advising of the requirement for a TV Licence if the occupant watches live TV or other licensable content. This stops for one year when the occupant declares they don't need a licence, when letters will resume to check if circumstances have changed.' READ MORE: Plumes of smoke seen after quad bikes go up in flames READ MORE: Liverpool man shot dead in Costa del Sol 'gun fight' named for first time In September last year, Mr Stuart was visited by a TV Licensing inspection officer. He described the visit as an opportunity to explain his viewing habits in person, adding: 'I told him I didn't pay for a TV licence because I didn't think I needed one because I don't watch live TV. 'I don't even have an aerial installed in my TV, and I invited him to do his checks. He was a bit apprehensive, but he looked at everything and asked me what I used the TV for. "So I told him I just watch Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation, and he asked me if I used BBC iPlayer and I said, 'no'.' Following the inspection, Mr Stuart said the officer confirmed he was not in breach of licensing requirements. Mr Stuart described how the officer documented their conversation and read back the main points, including that no live TV was being watched and no BBC iPlayer account was used. He added: 'It was official, and I agreed with what he had said, so when I was presented with the big white signature box, I just signed it, and then he left. To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a license.' However, in January this year, Mr Stuart received a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), which covers those who are alleged to have watched TV without a license. Lee explained: 'It said if I pleaded not guilty, the fine would be larger and I may have to pay court costs. So I'm not sure what's going on at this point. 'I look through it all, and at the back was the inspector's statement. Straight away I clock the question, 'May I come in to inspect the TV receiver?' and it said 'no' in the answer box, so that was wrong because I did. 'The next point was saying I admitted to watching the news last week. So I've refused him entry and then admitted on the step I watched live news last week? It didn't make any sense.' Mr Stuart chose to contest the notice and represented himself in court. He said: 'I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn't paying for a TV license that I didn't need so I fought it.' "I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience.' The court dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence. A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted.' The spokesperson added that while both the officer and Mr Stuart gave credible in-person testimony, the magistrates could not find the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Stuart, initially pleased with the outcome, later received a further letter from TV Licensing advising of the licence requirement. He has since submitted a formal complaint and a No Licence Needed (NLN) declaration. He added: 'The form asks at the end, 'What outcome do you want from this?' and I just put 'All I want is to be left alone, but an apology wouldn't go amiss'.' TV Licensing confirmed it has now received Mr Stuart's NLN declaration.
