Six ways for pensioners to avoid or reduce cost of £159 TV licence

● Claim Pension Credit. If your income as a single pensioner is less than £173.75 a week – or as a couple £265.20 – you can top it up to these amounts. Receiving this benefit also entitles you to a free TV licence. Call the Pension Credit phone line on 0800 99 1234.

● If registered blind or severely sight impaired, apply for a 50 per cent concession and pay just £79.50 a year.

● Only watch (for free) catch-up or on-demand TV services – not including BBC iPlayer. These include ITV Player, All 4, My 5, Now TV, Sky Go, Apple TV, Netflix and Amazon. You cannot watch live TV on any channel.

● Tune into the radio. If you only listen to the radio – even BBC services – you do not need a licence. The same goes for playing DVDs and using internet browsers to use website services such as YouTube.

● Pay in instalments. Set up a direct debit paying £41 every three months. Although this works out £5 more expensive a year, it does spread the financial pain. Alternatively, pay £26.50 a month for the first six months and then £13.25 a month thereafter (the payments must always be six months in advance).

● Take out a TV licensing payment card. Pay £6.50 for the first six weeks followed by £6 a week for the next 20 weeks. Payments can be made at shops accepting PayPoint, online, via phone or text. Contact TV licensing at 0300 555 0286 or visit tvlicensing.co.uk.