Deregulation Act 2015

77 TV licensing: duty to review sanctions

(1) The Secretary of State must carry out a review of the sanctions that are appropriate in respect of contraventions of section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 (licence required for installation or use of television receiver).

(2) A review under subsection (1) must—

(a) examine proposals for decriminalisation of offences under section 363 of the Communications Act 2003;

(b) begin before the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed;

(c) be completed no later than 12 months after the day on which it begins; and

(d) be laid before both Houses of Parliament by the Secretary of State on completion and be presented to the BBC Trust.

(3) The Secretary of State must, before the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the review is completed, lay before both Houses of Parliament a report setting out the Secretary of State’s response to the review which must include—

(a) a statement as to whether the Secretary of State proposes to exercise the power to make regulations under section 78(1)(a) or (b), and

(b) if the Secretary of State proposes to do so, an outline of the steps that the Secretary of State proposes to take in consequence and when those steps will be taken.