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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MPs to debate TV licence fee change proposals | MPs to debate TV licence fee change proposals |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MPs are due to discuss plans to give ministers powers to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee. | MPs are due to discuss plans to give ministers powers to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee. |
| The idea, which is believed to be supported by both the Conservatives and Labour, could make non-payment a civil rather than criminal offence. | The idea, which is believed to be supported by both the Conservatives and Labour, could make non-payment a civil rather than criminal offence. |
| Proposals to amend the Deregulation Bill require a review of the potential options which could last up to a year. | |
| The BBC, which says decriminalisation could cost it £200m a year, has said it will fully co-operate with a review. | |
| Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, who has led calls for decriminalisation, has said at least 150 backbench MPs support the idea. | Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, who has led calls for decriminalisation, has said at least 150 backbench MPs support the idea. |
| The plan has already received government backing, while the BBC understands Labour wants any move to a system of civil penalties to be piloted before it is implemented. | The plan has already received government backing, while the BBC understands Labour wants any move to a system of civil penalties to be piloted before it is implemented. |
| Under the proposals, ministers would be allowed to replace existing sanctions with "civil monetary penalties", which would mean no further act of Parliament was needed. | |
| If MPs vote in favour the bill would have to be approved by the House of Lords and a review of how a civil penalty would work would then have to be completed before ministers could act on the power. | If MPs vote in favour the bill would have to be approved by the House of Lords and a review of how a civil penalty would work would then have to be completed before ministers could act on the power. |
| Any final decision on the issue is unlikely before the summer of 2015. | Any final decision on the issue is unlikely before the summer of 2015. |
| Currently, people can be sent to jail in connection with not paying the annual licence fee, which is used to fund BBC programmes and other output. | Currently, people can be sent to jail in connection with not paying the annual licence fee, which is used to fund BBC programmes and other output. |
| A TV licence, which is required if a user watches or records live broadcasts on any device in the UK, currently costs £145.50 per year. | A TV licence, which is required if a user watches or records live broadcasts on any device in the UK, currently costs £145.50 per year. |
| Those who refuse to pay face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as the prospect of jail if fines are not paid. | Those who refuse to pay face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as the prospect of jail if fines are not paid. |
| The Ministry of Justice has said that 164,932 people were found guilty of TV licence evasion in 2012 and 51 went to prison for not paying subsequent fines. | The Ministry of Justice has said that 164,932 people were found guilty of TV licence evasion in 2012 and 51 went to prison for not paying subsequent fines. |
| Chancellor George Osborne said the idea of decriminalisation was "very interesting" and would be looked at "closely". | Chancellor George Osborne said the idea of decriminalisation was "very interesting" and would be looked at "closely". |
| The BBC's strategy director James Purnell said: "We are happy to work with government to see if it can be improved or whether there is an alternative that could be better." | The BBC's strategy director James Purnell said: "We are happy to work with government to see if it can be improved or whether there is an alternative that could be better." |
| He said the present system "works pretty well" and warned the proposed change would be a "huge risk" which would increase instances of non-payment. | He said the present system "works pretty well" and warned the proposed change would be a "huge risk" which would increase instances of non-payment. |
| Earlier this month, Mr Purnell warned BBC channels could close if non-payment of the licence fee was decriminalised. | |
| Currently civil penalties can be used for other issues such as if a person does not report changes in their circumstances to claim benefits, and end up getting overpaid as a result. | |
| In this instance offenders are likely to be landed with a minimum £50 fine. | |
| Civil penalties are also used to fine employers up to £10,000 for having an illegal immigrant on their books. |