Brits trapped in contracts think they overpay by £576 a year

A survey of 2,000 adults found 38 per cent are currently tied into an agreement which they don’t think is good value for money. Half have noticed the price of their contracts rising over time, while 26 per cent believe they get poor value for money for the service they actually receive.

TV packages (32 per cent), energy contracts (26 per cent) and mobile phone contracts (14 per cent) are among the most common deals where people feel they’re not getting bang for their buck.

With Brits holding an average of seven contracts or subscriptions overall, nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) struggle to keep track of them all.

The research, commissioned by Community Fibre, found almost one in four (23 per cent) now believe better alternatives are available. It also emerged 26 per cent are actively trying to find cheaper deals for all or most of their current contracts and subscriptions.

Personal finance expert Peter Komolafe has partnered with the mobile and broadband provider to support the launch of a new monthly renewing mobile eSIM, that comes with unlimited data, calls and texts.

He said: “It’s no surprise so many people find themselves stuck in contracts and subscriptions that no longer feel like good value. With many different long-term contracts on the go, small price rises can add up, leaving people paying more than they realise.

“That’s why it’s so important to regularly review, track and monitor your outgoings, so you stay in control of what you’re paying for. But most importantly, check you have the best deal and are only paying for what you need.”

Control over bills and efficiency is clearly important to people, with nearly half of Brits surveyed (48 per cent) preferring shorter, more flexible deals, while 41 per cent are exploring combining services to save money.

But many are still in the dark when it comes to spending, as nearly two thirds (64 per cent) said they don’t know exactly how much these are costing them each month.

When asked about mobile phone contracts specifically, 27 per cent of respondents wanted to switch to a cheaper deal and getting the best price was the top priority for six in 10 people. Another 19 per cent would happily keep their current handset and move to a better contract and 15 per cent are keeping an eye out for shorter, more flexible options.

This is followed by knowing exactly what their bill will be each month (56 per cent) and having the most data, calls and texts possible (37 per cent). More control over contracts could also help some Brits struggling to stay on top of what they sign up for.

According to the OnePoll survey, more than a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) have completely forgotten about a paid subscription and continued paying each month without using it. Video services (26 per cent), music subscriptions (15 per cent) and software (13 per cent) are the most neglected, costing bill payers an estimated £54 before they cancelled.

Peter Komolafe, who featured in a video for Community Fibre quizzing Londoners about their subscriptions, added: “I spoke to lots of people and found many are confused or frustrated by their mobile phone contract, but happy with their handset.

“Switching to an eSIM like this is a straightforward way to secure unlimited data, calls and texts for a fixed monthly price, with the added flexibility of a rolling contract.”