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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the decision by EE to impose roaming charges on new UK mobile phone users when using their phones in Europe, what plans they have to negotiate a deal with the EU to eliminate roaming charges for UK customers.

Since the end of the Transition Period the UK is no longer part of Roam Like at Home so surcharge-free roaming for UK consumers in the EU is no longer guaranteed.

During negotiations for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, the UK proposed continuation of reciprocal agreements between the UK and EU for surcharge free roaming, or a review clause to consider the need for these should roaming surcharges return for consumers. The EU did not agree to either of these proposals. Therefore, mobile operators are now able to impose a surcharge on UK consumers travelling abroad to the EU for their mobile phone usage. We advise that consumers check with their operators before travelling.