Reminder: Your TV licence is about to get more expensive

You have until April 1st.

Last year, the price of the TV licence went up for the first time since 2010, and it's set to increase once more. On April 1st, the price will rise from £147 to £150.50 - no, it's not an April Fools joke - so if you want to avoid paying the higher fee, you have until the end of the month. The government said the fee will continue to rise in line with inflation for five years. Licence fee payers will receive a payment plan or a reminder reflecting the new amount when their licence is next due for renewal. Anyone who bought an instalment scheme before April 1 will continue to pay £147 until their licence comes up for renewal. Remember: everyone must have a TV licence, that includes you, student in university halls who will only use it to watch Match of the Day on iPlayer and possibly The Apprentice on catch up. But it's a small price to pay for the wealth of quality shows the BBC provides us with, free of advertising. You should receive a reminder in the post, advising you to renew your license, but make sure to do it before the increase. That £3.50 will go a long way.