HELPING HAND: This new policy is aimed at offering support and relief to those who are facing financial challenges A change is going to be made which will help struggling families deal with their TV licence bill. The BBC has decided to provide a two-month break to individuals who are unable to afford the £159 fee, before initiating the payment collection process.
Clare Sumner, BBC director of policy, said: “While we know societal factors drive the gender disparity, we’re committed to making improvements to our own processes wherever possible. Our action plan will improve support for people in real financial difficulty to help them stay licensed and reduce risk of prosecution."
The Gender Disparity Report aimed to identify the factors contributing to the prosecution of TV licence evasion. While gender was a significant factor, finance and other socio-economic factors were also examined, but no single cause was identified as solely responsible for the disparity.