Consultation on decriminalising TV licence evasion
We welcome views from both members of the public and organisations on whether the Government should proceed with the decriminalisation of TV licence evasion by replacing the criminal sanction with an alternative civil enforcement scheme.
Opened
5 Feb 2020
Closed
1 Apr 2020
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Linked documents
- Open Consultation Consultation on decriminalising TV licence evasion
- Government Response Government response to the consultation on decriminalising TV licence evasion
▤ Verbatim text from source document
The Government believes that it is right to look again at decriminalising TV licence evasion in order to ensure a proportionate and fair approach to licence fee penalties and payments is in place, which protects the most vulnerable in our society.
The consultation will seek responses on whether to decriminalise evasion and give consideration to how this could happen. The determining factors that the Government will consider include:
- Would an alternative, non-criminal enforcement scheme be fairer and more proportionate?
- What the cost is and how difficult it would be to implement any alternative scheme?
- What is the potential impact on licence fee payers, particularly the most vulnerable and those with protected characteristics?
- And what is the overall impact on licence fee collection?