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<p>The regulations which set the frequency and amount of instalments by which TV licence
fees can be paid are the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. The
Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided the amended
instalment amounts for the period beginning 1 April 2020.</p><p>However, the actual
frequency and amount of the instalments for a TV licence may be affected by the payment
method chosen or the individual circumstances of the customer, such as the date of
renewal or whether the customer had a period of unlicensed use before the renewal.
Payments may also be affected if the customer is in the first year of their TV licence,
which is often paid for over the first 6 months of the licence period, and in some
cases must be paid for upfront.</p><p>The TV Licensing website sets out that licence
fee instalment amounts for a weekly or fortnightly payment licence are set out in
an individual payment plan when a customer signs up for a Payment Card: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card"
target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card</a>.</p><p>The
TV Licensing website also sets the monthly, quarterly and annual payment instalments
for direct debit plans: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit"
target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit</a>.</p><p>For
customers moving to the BBC’s 75+ payment plan, the BBC issued a general notice setting
out the weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalment amounts which are payable: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age-related-tv-licence-policy/general-notice"
target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age-related-tv-licence-policy/general-notice</a></p><p>Certain
customers can also pay for their TV licence in monthly or fortnightly instalments
as part of the Simple Payment Plan, which is a payment instalment scheme specifically
designed for people who struggle to pay the TV licence fee. These instalments can
be found in the Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) (No.2) 2020.</p><p>There
is no provision in the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 which
prohibits the payment of the TV licence fee by cheque. However it is the BBC, not
the government, that administers these schemes and is responsible for the collection
and enforcement of the licence fee, including methods of payment. TV Licensing’s website
explains that, at present, only annual licence fee payments can be made by cheque:
<a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/cheque-or-postal-order"
target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/cheque-or-postal-order</a>.</p>
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