Bill rise facing Britons as ‘unethical’ price hike overlooked in ‘shocking’ Budget move | Personal Finance | Finance

Britain is bracing for a major bills hike in April but Jeremy Hunt kept quiet on the issue in his Spring Budget despite Martin Lewis calling for action.

Broadband and mobile bills are increasing by up to 8.8 percent next month as many providers up their charges based on inflation figures plus an additional amount.

Financial journalist Martin Lewis previously wrote to the Chancellor urging him to scrap the “inflationary and anti-competitive” mid-contract price hikes.

Andy Aitken, co-founder and CEO of mobile provider Honest, told Express.co.uk: “These unfair price increases – like the one we’ve recently been informed of that will see millions across the UK face price hikes of up to 8.8 percent – are deeply unethical and take a serious toll on people’s finances.

“Given how timely this issue is, it’s shocking that this wasn’t addressed in last week’s budget.”

Major providers including BT and EE are set to increase some of their tariffs by 7.99 percent, while Virgin Media and 02 are increasing some bills by 8.8 percent.

Mr Aitken said: “The fact people like Martin Lewis are calling for change on mobile price hikes just proves the breadth of these issues.

“And ignoring this won’t hide the truth: the bar has never been set lower by UK network providers.”

He called for the above-inflation price rises should be scrapped, saying: “It’s very simple: if we truly want to stop inflation and support working people, why wouldn’t we put an end to an unpredictable, unethical price hike that ultimately contributes to the basket of goods that make up inflation?

“Even Ofcom has called time on this whole practice. The only way to fix the current system and protect low-income households is very simple: mid-contract broadband and mobile price hikes must be banned once and for all.”

Industry regulator Ofcom previously set out plans to ban the inflation-linked price rises, and the group now requires providers to inform customers upfront about any mid-contract bills increases.