Overview

This bill proposes to decriminalize non-payment of the BBC television licence fee for individuals over 75 years old. Currently, non-payment is a criminal offense; this bill seeks to change that for this specific age group.

Description

The bill amends the Communications Act 2003. Specifically, it modifies section 363, which relates to the requirement of a television licence. The amendment adds the condition "aged under 75" to subsections (2) and (3) of section 363. This effectively means that only individuals under 75 will be legally required to possess a licence, and non-payment will remain a criminal offense only for them.

The bill also outlines its extent, commencement, and short title. It states that the amendments apply to the same extent as the provisions being amended. The act will come into force 30 days after being passed and will be officially known as the BBC Licence Fee Non-Payment (Decriminalisation for Over-75s) Act 2021.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is indirect. Decriminalising non-payment for over-75s will likely lead to a reduction in revenue collected from licence fees. The precise financial impact is not specified in the bill itself but would depend on the number of over-75s who currently do not pay the licence fee.

Groups Affected

The primary group affected is individuals aged 75 and over. This bill removes the criminal penalty for non-payment of the BBC licence fee for them. The BBC, as the recipient of licence fee revenue, is also significantly affected as they may experience a loss of income.

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