2012年，有超過40萬英國人被查到未交電視費，他們將面臨1000英鎊（約合人民幣9581元）的罰款。根據法律規定，英國人收看電視節目需要交電視費，黑白電視機每年需交費49英鎊，彩色電視機每年145.5英鎊。據電視收費機構統計，到今年1月，英國仍有超過1.3萬個家庭在使用黑白電視機。

在被收費機構查到未交電視費后，不少家庭都給出五花八門的理由。如：

“我這電視是偷來的，我為什么要交費？又沒人知道我有電視。”

“我覺得我也就再活半年，所以不想交一年的錢。”

“我最近瘦了，得重新買衣服，所以沒錢交電視費了。”

More than 400,000 people were caught watching TV without a license in 2012.

A homeowner said they did not think they had to pay their TV license fee because they claimed their pet was related to one of the Queen's dogs.

Other excuses given to officials by evaders last year included watching a stolen TV set, TV Licensing said.

More than 400,000 people were caught watching TV without a license in 2012.

UK residents are legally required to have a license if they watch or record TV at the same time as it is broadcast or could face a fine of up to ￡1,000.

A color TV license costs ￡145.50 while a black-and-white license costs ￡49.

In January, TV Licensing revealed that more than 13,000 households across the UK were still using black-and-white television sets.

Excuses for non-payment given last year included:

"Apparently my dog, which is a corgi, was related to the Queen's dog so I didn't think I needed a TV license"

"Why would I need a TV license for a TV I stole? Nobody knows I've got it"

"Only my three-year-old son watches the TV. Can you take it out of the family allowance I receive for him? He watches it so he should pay"

"I had not paid as I received a lethal injection"

"I don't want to pay for a license for a full year. Knowing my luck I'll be dead in six months and won't get value for money"

"I have lost weight recently and had to buy new clothes. That's why I could not afford to buy a TV license"

TV Licensing spokesman Stephen Farmer said: "Some of the excuses are simply hilarious whilst others show a great deal of imagination and creativity but being caught without a valid TV license is a criminal offence and no laughing matter.

"Joking and wacky excuses apart, it's breaking the law to watch live television without a license so anybody doing this risks prosecution and a fine of up to ￡1,000."

(Source: BBC News)

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（中國日報網英語點津 Helen）