Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with representatives of Ofcom on price increases for (a) mobile and (b) internet contracts in the last 12 months.

We recognise that this is a difficult time for families across the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.

My Department has engaged regularly with Ofcom over the past 12 months on a range of telecom consumer-related issues including the affordability of services.

Ofcom - the independent regulator - has a statutory duty to monitor ongoing household affordability in the sector, and Part C of their General Conditions require telecoms companies to provide clear information about their contracts.

On 9 February 2023, Ofcom announced a review into the transparency of in-contract price rises. Ofcom expects this review to conclude by the end of the year.