Mid-contract price rises and your right to leave

Price rises part-way through a contract are a common frustration — but the rules changed in your favour in 2025. Here’s where you stand.

The pounds-and-pence rule

From 17 January 2025, providers can no longer write inflation-linked or percentage-based price rises into new phone, broadband and TV contracts. Instead, any in-contract increase must be set out in pounds and pence, clearly and prominently, when you sign up — so you know the exact amount and timing before you commit.

When you can leave penalty-free

• If a price rise was clearly set out in pounds and pence in your contract, it’s part of the deal — it doesn’t give you a right to exit.
• If your provider changes your price in a way that wasn’t clearly set out in your contract, and it’s to your material detriment, you can usually leave penalty-free. They must give you advance notice and tell you about this right to exit.

What about older contracts?

The ban applies to new contracts from 17 January 2025. If you signed up earlier and agreed to an inflation-linked rise, that term may still apply. Check the contract you originally agreed.

What to do

1. Check whether the rise was clearly set out, in pounds and pence, in your contract.
2. If it wasn’t and you’re worse off, you may have a right to leave — raise it with your provider.
3. If they don’t resolve it, you can escalate to the ombudsman.

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