The BBC has announced today that it is to go ahead with a controversial plan to end free TV licences for most over-75s, after a two-month delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That means more than three million households will be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee from 1 August.

Only households where someone receives the Pension Credit benefit will still be eligible for a free licence.

The BBC said the new scheme is “the fairest decision”, but the government said it was “deeply frustrating”.