TV Licensing

TV Licensing: New interactive map tackles embarrassment around debt advice

Embarrassment is a key factor preventing people in financial difficulty asking for help, research has revealed. Being unaware of the help available also contributes to delays in seeking advice.

So TV Licensing has today announced the launch of a new interactive online map, to help combat the problem and make it easier for people to find local organisations offering financial advice. The map provides locations and details of over 480 partners which can provide support on TV Licensing issues and can be viewed at tvlicenceadvice.co.uk (opens in a new window).

According to the National Debtline¹, nearly six in ten (59%) of their clients wait over 6 months before asking for help, while more than four in ten people (44%) wait for a year or more before getting in touch. In 2017, five percent (5.4%) of callers to the National Debtline, run by the Money Advice Trust, had TV licence debt.

TV Licensing works with more than 400 charities and money advice organisations to give the best advice and information to people who approach them for assistance on staying licenced. A licence costs £150.50 for the year, but there are TV Licensing payment plans which make it possible to pay in smaller, more manageable chunks.

Dennis Hussey, Money Adviser at National Debtline, said:

Many callers are often afraid or embarrassed to discuss debts with even their family or close friends – I am often the very first person they’ve confided in.

I encourage anyone struggling, to seek free debt advice from an organisation like National Debtline as soon as possible. We are here to help and will not judge you, and our advice is independent and impartial.

Jason Hill, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said:

Our new online map at tvlicenceadvice.co.uk (opens in a new window) gives details of local money advice partners who are there to listen and help with money advice. There are a number of ways to pay for a TV Licence including weekly cash payments from as little as £6 a week, and we are always happy to offer advice to help people find the payment method best suited to them.

We are also running a new payment plan trial. More information about eligibility for the Simple Payment Plan is available on our website at tvlicensing.co.uk/sppinfo or through money advice organisations.

A licence is needed to watch or record live TV, on any device including a laptop, tablet or mobile phone. You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, and to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer.

References

^{1: Money Advice Trust, National Debtline Quarterly Survey, 2017}