Utilities

Broadband, mobile and pay TV firms will no longer be able to hit customers with inflation-linked price hikes mid-contract from January 2025, regulator Ofcom has confirmed. But, as MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has warned, the new rules will still allow for above-inflation price rises.

If you're still using a Plusnet Mobile Sim, you need to switch away as soon as possible – particularly if you want to keep the same phone number – as the provider is closing down this month.

If you pay for a Spotify 'Individual', 'Duo' or 'Family' subscription and don't mind giving up audiobooks, you can now save up to £24 a year by switching to one of its new 'Basic' plans. These don't have audiobooks but cost £1 to £2 a month less and let you keep all your other benefits, such as ad-free listening, downloads and high-quality audio – though only existing subscribers can access them for now.

The Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has written to the regulator Ofgem asking it to tackle the issue of high standing charges, which make up around £334 of most people's annual bills. It comes just days after MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis met with the minister and pushed her on the issue.

The majority of households in England, Scotland and Wales will see water and sewerage charges rise from April. However, prices vary depending on where you live, and not everyone will see an increase.

"Terrible" inflation-busting mobile and broadband price hikes are to be probed by the Chancellor after Martin Lewis grilled him on the issue. In an interview with the MoneySavingExpert.com founder, Jeremy Hunt said he would write to the competition and markets watchdog and "get to the bottom of it".

Millions of water and sewerage bill payers could be due compensation payouts of up to £109 each if a new set of group legal claims against several big water firms succeeds. It's still early days and there are no guarantees, but here's what you need to know.

Broadband, mobile and pay TV firms will no longer be able to hit customers with inflation-linked price hikes mid-contract, under proposals put forward by the telecoms regulator. But while MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has welcomed the move, he has also called on Ofcom to ensure any rises are never above inflation.

The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £169.50 from 1 April 2024 – an increase of £10.50 on the current price of £159 a year – the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced. It's the first increase to the fee since April 2021.

Broadband and mobile firms should be banned from hitting their customers with unpredictable mid-contract price hikes, consumer group Which? and charity Citizens Advice have said. The organisations have urged the telecoms regulator to stop these "unjust hikes" to ensure people are given certainty about how much their contract will cost when they sign up.