The BBC now requires over-75s to pay for their license fees due to conditions set out under a new system. While some Pension Credit recipients can preserve their current agreement, other households with a resident older than 75 with an expired license as of July 31, 2020, must pay. BBC executives introduced a brief grace period for those affected by the rules, but this ends soon.

       Older Brits have had nearly a year to pay outstanding license fees, thanks to the pandemic-related grace period.

       The BBC states 3.6 million of the 3.9 million people required to pay have now done so.

       Another 260,000 people still need to make new license arrangements, however.

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       They will soon receive a reminder of the license fee end date.

       The final deadline for the BBC's transition period is July 31.

       By then, anyone receiving pension credit should sign up for their free license.

       Otherwise, the annual license bill will set back pensioners ￡159.

       While most people have paid so far, campaign groups have signalled many over-70s remain hesitant.

       Silver Voices, one of the most resistant collective voices behind the move to paid-for licenses, has said pensioners will happily face ramifications for not paying.

       Most people who refuse to foot the bill could court fines, prosecution or even jail time.

       Speaking to the I paper, Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said pursued payees would go the "whole hog".

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       Some, he added, even seem prepared to face jail, given the prospect of getting "free TV there".

       He added other people are "willing to court the next steps".

       Mr Reed also called on the Government to make a last-minute U-turn and "step back in before it gets out of hand".

       But while the rules would traditionally target resistant parties, the BBC has signalled it won't this time.

       Director-general Tim Davie confirmed the BBC would not pursue over-75s required to pay.

       In a statement, he said the organisation would not send enforcement letters or organise visits for people who have previously had a free over-75 license.

       He added most people have complied with previous requests.

       Mr Davie said: "The majority of households have paid in one go, and over 770,000 have applied for free TV licences. We have taken over one million calls.”