BBC licence fee to increase by 2%

The cost of the annual BBC colour TV licence fee will increase by 2% to £145.50 per household from 1 April . Next month's licence fee increase was brought into effect by an order laid before the House of Commons today, which will also see the cost of a black and white TV licence increase by £1 to £49. This is the fourth year of a six-year licence fee deal between the BBC and the government, which runs to the end of March 2013. The future of the annual licence fee increase is more uncertain than at any time in the BBC's almost 90-year history, with both Labour and the Conservatives talking about the corporation potentially having to get by with less money. Last year the Tories took the unusual step of forcing a Commons vote on the annual licence fee increase, arguing that it should be frozen at £139.50. However, this move was defeated by 334 votes to 156 with the backing of Labour and Lib Dem MPs . The current six-year licence fee deal, negotiated in 2006, allowed for a 3% annual increase for the first three years, then two years with a 2% boost. The level of the licence fee for the final year, up to the end of March 2013, has yet to be set. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".