The figures reveal that one person under twenty five, thirty one people aged between twenty four and forty four, forty people aged forty five to sixty four, three state pensioners and one person whose age was not recorded are currently awaiting prosecution. Of the seventy six individuals, fifty eight are women and seventeen are men.
Labour MP Sarah Sackman disclosed the details in the House of Commons, explaining that the cases relate to several specific offences. These include using a television set without a licence, possessing a television with intent to use it without a licence and aiding or abetting unlicensed viewing.
Sackman noted that the count is drawn from an active case management system which, while considered the best available data, is subject to potential inaccuracies. She added that the statistics have not been cross checked with individual case files.
TV Licensing reiterated that prosecution remains a last resort. The agency said it prefers to work with households to avoid legal action but warned that anyone who fails to buy a licence or keep up with instalments after receiving an out of court disposal could still face court proceedings.
The development comes at a difficult moment for the BBC. Director General Tim Davie resigned following controversy over a Panorama documentary concerning Donald Trump. The BBC has apologised to the former US president for the programme’s editing but has refused his demand for one billion dollars in compensation. The corporation has also agreed not to broadcast the edition again.
