The TV licence has been a regular cost for many UK households since its introduction in 1946. At that time, the BBC was the sole broadcaster in the country and the licence fee was just £2 - equivalent to roughly £105 today.

Despite the significant changes in how we watch television, including the introduction of numerous channels, streaming and on-demand services, this annual bill remains a requirement.

A standard UK TV licence currently costs £174.50 per year. Even if you don't tune into BBC channels, many households will still need a licence, as it is necessary to watch or record programmes as they're being broadcast live on any TV channel.

It is also required to watch programmes live on any online TV service - such as Channel 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video.

Further to this it is needed to download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

However, there are some situations where a licence isn't required. This includes cases where your TV is used exclusively for watching shows via Netflix, Disney Plus, Channel 4's on demand service (formerly known as All 4), and Amazon Prime Video - as long as none of these shows are live.

You also don't need a licence to watch videos on websites like YouTube, or DVDs. But you might find that even if you don't need a licence, you have been sent a letter from TV Licensing.

They might be asking you to confirm if you need a licence, or even demanding money for one. If you don't reply to letters that may threaten to send someone to your property.

On the TV Licensing website it warns that not paying for a TV licence could lead to a £1,000 fine if you have been "watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally".

There is a simple way to stop the letters from coming though. If you do not need a licence, you just need to visit the TV Licensing website here and inform them of this fact.

On its website, it says: "We write to all addresses where there is no TV Licence or a current declaration to say that one isn't needed. If you tell us you don't need a TV Licence, we will stop sending you letters.

"We may confirm this with a visit. We do this because we've found that when we visit and make contact, one in 10 people who say they don't need a licence actually do need one."

It adds: "Remember, a TV licence isn't just for TV sets. It applies to any device. If you tell us your property is empty, we'll stop sending letters to your address for up to six months.

"If you have just told us you don't need a licence and then receive a letter from us a day or so after, this is usually because our records are being updated. You don't need to respond."

Certain people are also exempt from the fee or can claim a discount. To find out more, visit the Government website here.