MP Calls For Action Over TV Licensing Threatograms

A TV licence is only required by those properties where equipment is used or installed to receive TV programmes at the same time as they are broadcast to other members of the public.

Katy Clark tabled a parliamentary question on the subject following complaints from non-viewing constituents about the way TV Licensing continued to send them threatening letters, despite being informed about their no-TV status.

TV Licensing sends an average of 100,000 of the intimidating letters every day, despite the BBC acknowledging that at least 80% of the recipients have no legal need for a TV licence.

Speaking about the subject on her website, Katy said: "I appreciate that those responsible for TV Licensing do an important job and it goes without saying that all those who require a TV License should purchase one. I am however concerned that at present the language which is used in letters sent by TV Licensing to households without televisions can be inappropriate.

"Often those who do not have a TV Licence are either elderly or vulnerable people for whom receiving a letter threatening legal action can be a distressing experience. There should be a simple way for households without televisions to register that fact with TV Licensing and then should any further correspondence be necessary it can be conducted in a much more considerate tone than at present."

Ed Vaizey MP, the Liberal Democrat Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, provided the following response to Katy's question: "TV Licensing is responsible for all operational decisions regarding enforcement of the licence fee, including correspondence. Any changes to the enforcement regime, including outcomes from the TV Licence Fee Enforcement Review, would need to be considered as a part of the review of the BBC's Royal Charter."