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BBC licence fee: Ministers back plans for decriminalisation Ministers back BBC licence fee powers change
(35 minutes later)
Ministers have formally backed plans to make non-payment of the BBC licence fee a civil offence rather than a criminal one, the BBC understands. Ministers have formally backed plans to take powers to make non-payment of the BBC licence fee a civil rather than criminal offence, the BBC understands.
A senior Downing Street source said Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who tabled the proposals to decriminalise non-payment in the Commons, had "genuinely changed government thinking on the matter". A senior Downing Street source said Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who had tabled proposals to decriminalise non-payment in the Commons, had "genuinely changed government thinking on the matter".
There will be a year-long consultation in to how civil penalties could work.There will be a year-long consultation in to how civil penalties could work.
The BBC says decriminalisation could cost £200m through increased evasion.The BBC says decriminalisation could cost £200m through increased evasion.
The proposals will be debated in parliament on Tuesday. Speaking earlier this month, the corporation's strategy director warned BBC channels could close if non-payment of the licence fee was decriminalised.
James Purnell said it would be a "huge risk" and that losing the sum was equivalent to forcing BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies off air.
A TV licence, which is needed to watch or record live broadcasts on any device, currently costs £145.50 per year and has been frozen at that amount since 2010.
Currently, offenders face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as the prospect of jail if fines are not paid.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has previously said "decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table" during the BBC's charter review before 2017.Culture Secretary Maria Miller has previously said "decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table" during the BBC's charter review before 2017.
In 2012 about 155,000 people were convicted and fined for not paying the £145.50 fee while there were 180,000 prosecutions. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has said the move could ease pressure on the courts system, with TV licensing cases accounting for more than one in 10 criminal prosecutions in 2012.
In the same year, about 155,000 people were convicted and fined for not paying the fee while there were 180,000 prosecutions.