Press statement

Which? response to BT's April price hike announcement

2 min read

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

“While it's positive that BT is finally calling time on unpredictable inflation-linked price rises, it would be cynical to try to claim too much credit for a change they would likely have been forced to make later this year by Ofcom - after years of charging customers above-inflation price hikes that reached double digits at the height of the cost of living crisis. Meanwhile, new BT customers signing up between now and this summer will still be hit by unfair and unpredictable price hikes.

“BT appears to be using this price change announcement as cover for the shameless decision to press ahead with yet another inflation-busting price increase this April, even after the regulator found this practice causes ‘substantial harm’ to broadband and mobile users.

“It is within BT and other providers' power to cancel plans to go for one last cash grab from customers using unfair and discredited above-inflation price hikes this year. They must do so and then commit to ensuring no-one faces unpredictable price increases in future.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Which? ‘The Right to Connect’ campaign 

Access to the internet has become a basic necessity to life in the 21st century – for everything from work and school to socialising, shopping, banking, and accessing essential government services. Which?’s ‘The Right to Connect’ campaign is calling for clearer and fairer pricing for telecoms customers, because when it comes to basic necessities like a reliable mobile or internet connection, consumers deserve clarity.