Alan Shearer hilariously jokes about treatment from the BBC

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The current licence fee amnesty, brought into force during the coronavirus crisis, enables over-75s to hold off any payments until July. More than 260,000 pensioners are yet to pay their licence fee.

However, from the autumn the broadcaster will start carrying out home visits for those who fail to pay.

Pensioners who have not paid their bill will receive a letter from the BBC advising them that they must hold a valid TV licence.

Over-75s who are entitled to Pension Credit will be able to apply for exemption, but must respond to the broadcaster’s letter.

Failure to do so will result in a visit from a “support team,” BBC spokesperson said.

They told the Telegraph: “From the autumn, subject to Covid restrictions, customers who have not made arrangements may receive a customer care visit from a specially trained support team to assist them in becoming correctly licensed.

“We are now planning how we arrange customer care visits and are looking at a range of options.”

The BBC stressed that it was “enormously grateful for the high level of support that over-75s have shown for the licence fee.”

It added that nine in 10 over-75s households had already prepared to pay or claim their free licence since the amnesty was scrapped last year.

The corporation added: “This is in line with the broader UK population – the overwhelming majority pay the licence fee and enjoy the great programmes and services the BBC provides on TV, radio and online.

“As we have now reached a situation where over-75s households are in line with the general population, the extended transition period we put in place due to Covid will end on 31 July 2021.

“And in line with general policy, anyone who watches or records live TV programmes on any channel, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on iPlayer, must be covered by a valid TV licence.”

According to the spokesperson, these new visits are different from enforcer visits because “no record of interview will be taken”.

The TV Licensing website highlighted that it is “highly likely” that customers will be prosecuted if they watch TV or iPlayer without a valid licence.

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