The Government has responded after a petition calling for the state to fund free TV licenses for pensioners garnered more than 10,000 signatures. You can currently apply for a free TV Licence only if you, as the licence holder, are at least 75 years old and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit. There are also concessions in some circumstances.

The petition, launched by Michael Thompson, said signatories "want the Government to fund free TV licences for existing pensioners and those who reach the official retirement age", saying there is a "desperate need" for the move. "When people reach retirement age, we think they should receive a state-financed free TV licence," he continued.

"Many pensioners live on the breadline with only the TV for company. With the cost of food soaring and utility bills ever higher, we feel there is a desperate need to provide all pensioners with at least this concession."

"We feel it is a double outrage that those who have given their all to this country in taxes and raising children have to pay a TV licence fee and are only exempt if they receive means-tested Pension Credit. Meanwhile, some media figures draw huge salaries."

A standard colour TV Licence in the UK is currently £174.50 per year. According to TV Licensing's website: "Most people spread the cost by paying by Direct Debit - payments are made automatically, so you don't have to worry about remembering. Or you can make a one-off payment by debit or credit card."

However, some people may qualify for reduced fee licenses, such as those living in a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation.

If you are blind (severely sight-impaired) and are able to provide the appropriate evidence, you are eligible to apply for a 50% concession, the website says.

At the time of writing, 14,490 have signed Mr Thompson's petition, past the 10,000 threshold, which means the Government is required to respond.

Petitions that get at least 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in Parliament.

In its response on September 15, the Labour Government said: "There are a number of TV licence concessions available, including for over-75s in receipt of pension credit.

"There is no BBC concession to provide free TV licences for all pensioners at this time."

It noted that TV licence concessions "are available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, people over-75 and in receipt of pension credit, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old," but added there are "no further concessions available at this time".

"While the Government strongly believes in public funding for the BBC, given the public good it serves, we are aware of the financial difficulties faced by some households.

The Government said for this reason it has announced "a significant extension to the Simple Payment Plan (SPP)" which will "allow unlicensed households experiencing financial difficulty to split up the annual payment into more manageable fortnightly and monthly instalments".

"The BBC's analysis suggests that the expansion could double the number of households using the SPP to around 500,000 by the end of 2027," it continued.

"The Government is committed to the current licence fee for the remainder of this Charter and, as such, will not be changing the available concessions at this stage.

"The BBC remains responsible for the over-75s concession, including the decision to provide free TV licences for over-75s in receipt of pension credit.

"Given the existing BBC concession, we have no plans to introduce a new Government concession for all pensioners at this time."

You can read the response in full on the UK Government and Parliament website.

The BBC has been approached for comment via email.