TV licence fee from 1 April 2009

TV licence fee from 1 April 2009

London, 9 March/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (027/09) issued by COI
News Distribution Service. 9 March 2009
From 1 April, the cost of a colour television licence will be £142.50 and
a black and white licence will be £48.00.

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 increase is set at three per cent for the first
two years of the settlement and two per cent in years three, four and five.
This is year three. Any increase (of up to two per cent) in year six will
be set nearer the time.

Notes to editors

1. The fee for a basic black and white only TV licence will increase from
£47.00 to £48.00, and a basic colour TV licence from £139.50 to £142.50.

2. The six-year settlement enables the BBC to:

* implement the vision of the 2006 White Paper and Charter and Agreement,
maintaining relevance and impact in a period of rapid change

* support digital switchover, including funding and delivery of a help scheme
for vulnerable people

* widen the geographical spread of its production facilities and make better
use of the creativity and talent that exists across the UK, including by
moving significant production to the North West of England - bringing an
estimated £1.5 billion and 15,500 jobs to the area

* maximise value for money to the licence fee payer
Press enquiries: 020 7211 6269
Out of hours telephone pager: 07699 751153
Public enquiries: 020 7211 6200
www.culture.gov.uk

2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
www.culture.gov.uk

Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

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