NEARLY three-quarters of people prosecuted in Cumbria for television licence evasion in 2022 were women, new figures show, with a magistrates’ membership body calling for a ‘better understanding’ of what is behind the data.

There were 770 people prosecuted for the crime in Cumbria in 2022, of which 559 (73 per cent)  were women, down from 75 per cent the year before.

TV licenses, which are legally required to watch live TV on terrestrial channels or via online streaming, increased to £169.50 this month, from £159.

The fine for not having one when needed is up to £1,000 plus any legal costs, and additional compensation may be ordered.

Tom Franklin, chief executive of the Magistrates’ Association, a members’ body for magistrates, said the group is concerned the crime disproportionately affects women.

“According to TV Licencing data, this gender disparity is not reflected in who holds the TV licence, which suggests that the disparity results from either capacity or willingness to pay, or the enforcement practices being followed,” he said, adding that it’s thought women are more likely to register as heads of households, or are more likely to be home during the day, and therefore more likely to answer the door to inspectors.

"What we are clear about is that a better understanding is needed of what is behind the disparity, and then action should be taken to address it going forward," he added.

The figure is reflected nationally, with 32,094 women prosecuted for not having a license when they should across England and Wales, accounting for 74 per cent of all prosecutions for the offence.

The figure remained constant in 2021 and 2020, having fallen from 75 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

A TV Licencing spokesperson said: "Prosecution is always a last resort and our priority is to help people stay correctly licensed."

They added the issue of why more women are prosecuted than men is a ‘complex one’.

"It was the subject of an in-depth, independently overseen review published last year which found no evidence that TV Licensing deliberately discriminates against any group; that gender is not a factor in the way that we collect the licence fee and that broader societal factors, such as financial hardship and household composition, drive the disparity.

"We are now implementing a 10-point plan to offer further support to people, mitigate the risks of these societal factors where possible and therefore reduce the risk of prosecution,” they added.

The Ministry of Justice figures cover a period before the BBC's review and the action plan were put in place.