The cost of the BBC licence fee in Britain will increase by 2% to £145.50 sterling from April 1, it was confirmed today.
This year's rise from £142.50 for the colour licence is part of a six-year BBC funding settlement agreed in 2007.
The increase was set at 3% for the first two years of the settlement and 2% in years three, four and five - with 2010 being year four.
The rise, which also sees the black and white licence go from £48 to £49, was brought into effect by an order laid down in the House of Commons today.
The increase comes as the BBC confirmed last week that it was proposing to axe radio stations 6 Music and the Asian Network and slash spending on its website. Union leaders have said the move threatened up to 600 jobs and warned of strikes to fight any compulsory redundancies.
The BBC has outlined plans to divert nearly £600m a year to higher quality content in its drive to become 'more disciplined and sharply-focused'.
