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Martin Lewis reveals the broadband contract trap costing millions of households more
MoneySavingExpert research found three in four tariffs cost more under Ofcom’s rules, as Lewis said 99% of customers would be better off with a cap.
- On Monday, Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert founder, gives evidence to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, arguing that Ofcom's transparency rules have caused most consumers to pay more for broadband and mobile contracts.
- Introduced in early 2025, Ofcom's 'pounds and pence' rules required providers to disclose price hikes upfront, yet failed to ban mid-contract increases, leaving millions facing above-inflation costs after bills surged by as much as 17% previously.
- MoneySavingExpert analysis of more than 47,000 tariffs reveals a 'poverty premium' where those on cheaper deals face 23 per cent mid-contract rises on average, with 75 per cent of all customers worse off under the new system.
- Lewis proposes a straightforward ban on price hikes exceeding inflation, arguing the current system is 'stacked in companies' favour' and that notification windows fail to protect households in practice.
- Responding to the criticism, Ofcom confirmed it is monitoring the market and will publish an in-depth review of the pricing transparency rules next year to assess their impact.
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26 Articles
EE and Virgin Media among broadband providers Britons now pay more for — full list revealed
You may have noticed your broadband bill is slightly higher this year. This is due to most telecom brands increasing monthly Direct Debits by a fixed pound-and-pence rise to comply with recent Ofcom rule changes.Broadband providers have been banned from tying annual price rises to runaway inflation figures. UK companies are forced to be upfront and to tell you about any price rises included in your contract in pounds and pence. This is a shift a…
·London, United Kingdom
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Martin Lewis calls for ban on above-inflation mid-contract broadband price hikes
New MoneySavingExpert research suggests many mobile and broadband customers are paying more under current rules as Martin Lewis calls for a ban on above-inflation mid-contract price hikes.
·Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources26
Leaning Left5Leaning Right3Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
L 22%
C 65%
13%
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