To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of television licences were purchased or renewed (a) at a post office, (b) online, (c) by phone and (d) by post in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006. (111192)

The information requested is available only for financial years. In the last three financial years, the percentage of television licences obtained by the methods specified¹ was as follows:

¹ The majority of television licences are now purchased by direct debit (DD). DD purchases rose from 56.9 per cent. of licences in 2004-05 to 62 per cent. in 2006-07 (year to date). In addition, in 2006-07 (year to date) approximately 6 per cent. of licences were purchased via PayPoint outlets and approximately 3 per cent. were over-75 licences renewed automatically without contact from the licence holder.