The BBC confirmed its plans to take away free TV licences from over-75s on Monday. The broadcaster argued it was the only way it could avoid closing channels and making substantial cutbacks. The decision comes agyer the government announced in 2015 the BBC would take responsibility for covering the cost of free television licences for over-75s. But what will happen if you refuse to pay for your TV licence?

Millions of households will be charged the £154.50 annual fee from June 2020 for the right to watch live television and access the BBC’s iPlayer service.

Research from the House of Commons Library found that 3 million households would lose their free TV licence as a result of the decision.

While the BBC has said it will continue to provide TV licences to over-75s who can provide evidence they claim pension credit, a means-tested benefit designed to help older people, a massive number of pensioners who currently have free TV licences will be forced to pay going forwards.

Licences for the elderly were not free before 2000, but after that point, then-chancellor Gordon Brown said the government would foot the bill.

The government first announced the BBC would take over the cost of providing free licences for over-75s by 2020 as part of the fee settlement in 2015.

This would cost the broadcaster £745 million, which is one fifth of the BBC’s budget, by 2021 to 2022.

The new scheme will cost the BBC around £250 million by 2021 to 2022 depending on the take-up.

The BBC said “fairness” was at the heart of the ruling, which comes into force in June 2020.

The decision follows a consultation with 190,000 people, of whom 52 percent were in favour of reforming or abolishing free licences.

However, dozens of furious TV viewers are now refusing to pay for their licences in protest at the BBC’s decision.

WWII veteran Victor Gregg appeared on Good Morning Britain yesterday slamming the broadcaster for its decision.

The 99-year-old said: “It’s only two days ago that they were patting all these old people on the head and calling them heroes.

“It’s disgraceful – they want money, they’re overspending. Who do they attack? Those who can’t answer back.”

Free TV licences will be revoked from June next year.

From that point, the exemption will only be available to those on Pension Credit, a benefit claimed by 900,000 low-income households.

What will happen if you refuse to pay your TV licence?

If you watch or record live television or BBC iPlayer without a TV you are breaking the law.

This law applies to any provider you use and any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorder.

If you refuse to pay your TV licence and authorities discover you have been watching, recording or downloading television programmes without a licence, you will face prosecution.

The maximum financial penalty is a £1,000 fine, with the exception of a maximum fine of £2,000 in Guernsey, in addition to any legal and/or compensation you might be ordered to pay.

If the fine goes unpaid criminal charges, as well as a £1,000 fine, could be levied.

These criminal charges for failure to settle the court charge could mean a jail term is imposed.

This is the last resort measure, however, and other methods of recovering the fine such as using bailiffs and taking deductions from your wages or benefits will be attempted first.

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