Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to take steps to end the practice of people continuing to be charged for the cost of their mobile handset after the end of the minimum contract period.

The Government’s Manifesto committed to making it clear when a mobile customer has paid off the price of their handset. This is an area where Government recognises that action is needed to improve protections for consumers. The Department is currently considering this issue. We will listen to the views of stakeholders and are working closely with Ofcom, as the UK’s independent communications regulator, and mobile service providers to find a solution that protects consumers.