Debate: Non-payment of TV licence could be decriminalised

Non-payment of the TV licence fee could be decriminalised and become just a civil offence, under plans being debated by ministers.

16:47 10 March 2014

In 2012, there were 155,000 people who were convicted and fined for not paying the £145.50 TV licence fee. The BBC said that if the plans to decriminalise non-payment for the service push through, it could lead to more people failing to pay. However, Cultural Secretary Maria Miller believe that "decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table.”

A spokesman for the culture secretary added: "Maria will put decriminalisation of the licence fee on the table during charter review discussions, but to do it before makes no sense.

"She has made clear that the BBC needs to get its house in order, particularly when it comes to governance and transparency, having decriminalisation on the table during the negotiations will focus the BBC's minds."

Conservative MP Andrew Brigden added: "It is outrageous that so many people are brought in to the criminal justice system through this means.

"I believe that non-payment should be treated in the way that parking tickets are.

"It is absurd that the courts are being clogged up by such a minor offence."