To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from telephone services consumers complaining about surcharges for using other methods than direct debit to pay their telephone bills; and what steps he is taking to prevent such practices by telephone services providers. (153458)

The Department has received a number of representations from members of the public on this issue and these have been referred to Ofcom. On 6 June Ofcom announced it will carry out a full Review of communications providers’ additional charges. The Review will cover charges for non-direct debit payments, as well as other additional charges including late payment, restoration of service and early termination fees. It will cover fixed and mobile operators, and pay TV services.

Ofcom will look at the nature and level of charges levied by communications providers and how well signposted and transparent such charges are. It will investigate how far consumers are aware of additional charges, whether they are able and willing to shop around on the basis of core prices and additional charges rather than just core prices, and whether there are certain groups of consumers who are unable to do this and therefore may be disadvantaged.

Ofcom expects to announce the conclusions of its Review in the autumn.