Petition to restore free TV licence for all pensioners reaches huge milestone

Petition to restore free TV licence for all pensioners reaches huge milestone Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter 17:49, Fri, May 29, 2026 Updated: 17:51, Fri, May 29, 2026 The petition calls for state-funded licences for everyone at state pension age (Image: Getty)A petition demanding the Government restore free TV licences for all pensioners has surged past 14,000 signatures, triggering an official response and piling pressure on ministers amid the cost-of-living crisis. Launched in January by Michael Thompson, the campaign calls for state-funded licences for everyone at state pension age — currently 66 and rising — arguing television is no luxury but a vital lifeline for isolated older people. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) Mr Thompson said: “Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession.” He branded the current system a “double outrage”. Pensioners who “have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children” must still pay the £169.50 annual fee unless they qualify for means-tested Pension Credit. He added: “Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide conte...