Citizens Advice responds to CMA's two year loyalty penalty update

2 Dec 2020 03:53 PM

Alistair Cromwell, Acting Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, responds to CMA's two year loyalty penalty update

“We’re pleased to see that, if current proposals are fully implemented, consumers stand to save more than £700 million a year in the insurance, mobile and broadband markets. As four in five people are still paying a loyalty penalty, it’s clear there’s still work to be done. 

“We’re worried the FCA is only planning action in one of the three financial services markets we included in the super-complaint. We’re encouraged by the FCA’s bold proposals in the insurance market, which sets the bar high for other sectors. 

“We agree with the CMA that the FCA should take action to support the 800,000 people facing ‘significant harm’ by paying the loyalty penalty in the mortgage market. But encouraging loyal customers to switch isn't an adequate remedy.

“In the savings sector, introducing Single Easy Access Rates (SEARs) was a strong proposal. It’s disappointing that this work has been paused, the FCA should implement SEARs once interest rates rise.

“Across telecoms, it’s good to see the CMA acknowledging that, while Ofcom has made progress in broadband, it has more work to do in protecting loyal mobile customers. Three has refused to make any changes and, though other major providers have signed voluntary agreements, these only stand to remedy £58 million of the £182 million of estimated harm each year.

“The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic continues to have a drastic impact on the finances of millions of people. It‘s essential that the FCA and Ofcom do more to stamp out this unfair practice, so loyal customers are not overpaying for essential services.” 

Notes to editors

  1. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.
  2. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.
  3. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.
  4. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.
  5. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  6. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  7. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 to talk in Welsh.
  8. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.
  9. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.

‘Loyalty penalty’ super-complaint