Struggling with 'Awful April' price rises? Sending ONE text could save you £200 on household bills

Millions of UK households have been hit with across-the-board price rises. Dubbed "Awful April," the widespread increases impact everything from water, council tax, energy, TV licence fee, phone bills, and broadband.

While many of these are non-negotiable, there is something you can do to secure a cheaper mobile or broadband deal.

And it only takes a single text message to get started.

Loyalty is never rewarded, when it comes to your utilities. If you're able to switch to a new supplier — and unlock the discounts reserved for new customers, it's possible to slash your monthly bills.

Analysis by consumer watchdog Which? found that mobile customers were able to save between £67 – £146 per year by ditching their current provider. On average, broadband and TV customers could save up to £160 per year by switching to a fresh deal — rising to a maximum of £235. Estimates from Confused.com are even higher, with its figures showing that British households could bank an extra £200 by moving to a new mobile deal.

What causes this price disparity?

Once your original contract term ends, you'll typically be switched to a more expensive monthly rate. Even if there isn't an immediate price rise, the annual increases that took place over the course of your 18- or 24-month contract means you'll still be paying more than new customers who benefit from the best deals.

• EE offers three months FREE full-fibre broadband if you switch
• BT offers three months FREE full-fibre broadband if you switch
• Plusnet offers £100 Gift Card to spend on anything if you switch

If you’re not outside the initial contract period, you’ll need to pay an early exit fee, which is usually the remaining balance of the contract you signed. This fee can quickly eat up any savings made by switching providers.

Data published by Ofcom revealed that 16% of all broadband customers in the UK were out-of-contract last year, rising to 36% with those who bundle broadband and a landline with the same supplier. In total, 37% of all pay-monthly phone customers were out-of-contract in mid-2024, an increase of 3% compared to a year earlier.

That equates to millions of UK customers who could cut their monthly outgoing by switching to a new deal.

Mobile customers can find out whether they're out-of-contract by sending one text message.

Send the word INFO and your Date of Birth in the format DDMMYY to 85075.

You'll receive a reply with the status of your current mobile phone contract and any exit fees. If you're outside of the original contract, you're free to renegotiate a new deal with the same supplier or switch to another brand to unlock those new customer deals.

Recent analysis from Which? revealed that smaller, lesser-known mobile networks are outperforming the so-called "Big Four" — EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone — in several core metrics, including value for money and customer service. In a survey of more than 4,000 mobile phone users nationwide, Which? found that Smarty Mobile was the highest-rated network with a 82% customer satisfaction score.

Unlike brands with better brand recognition, Smarty offers cancel-anytime 30-day rolling contracts as standard and doesn't hike prices mid-contract. There's also no additional charges for EU roaming — something that almost all of the Big Four do as standard.

Unlock 80GB of 5G data, with unlimited calls and texts, and FREE roaming in EU 

Smarty is a Which? Recommended Provider for the last four years, and it's latest deal demonstrates why you might want to switch. For just £10, this cancel-anytime one-month rolling contract unlocks 80GB of 5G or 4G data, unlimited calls and text messages. You can use your mobile data and calls abroad in the EU at no extra cost. Smarty doesn't do mid-contract price rises. It relies on Three Mobile's network of UK masts, so if you get signal with the latter, then you'll have no trouble with Smarty too

Unfortunately, there's no text message that reveals the status of your broadband contract. Instead, the fastest option is usually to log in to your account online or via a smartphone app.

Most major UK broadband suppliers, including BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and TalkTalk, show the contract end date under your account or billing details. If the information isn’t clearly listed, you might need to reach out to customer support via a live chat or phone call. Keep your account number, postcode, and any security details to verify your identity handy whenever you get in touch with your broadband supplier.

Best broadband deals to cut monthly bills today

If you're one of the millions of UK broadband customers outside of their inital contract, there's never been a better time to switch. You'll avoid the price hike coming this month — or already applied to your most recent monthly bill — by becoming a new customer with a rival broadband firm.

Broadband providers have unleashed a slew of new offers to tempt those looking to switch. For a limited time, EE is offering three months of free broadband when you switch. BT has matched the same deal ...but it's doesn't offer the same top speeds for its full-fibre internet, it also misses out on the newest Wi-Fi 7 wireless router.

Switch to EE, and pay £0 for three months of full-fibre broadband

For a limited time, EE is offering free broadband for the first 3 months of your contract. Available on full-fibre packages starting from £32.99, which unlocks the Full Fibre 150 plan, up to the all-singing, all-dancing Made For Gamers package with the new Wi-Fi 7 hub included as standard. If you're not outside of your current contract, EE will contribute up to £300 towards early exit fees

Switch to BT, and pay £0 for three months of full-fibre broadband

Enjoy £0 broadband for the first three months of your new contract. BT broadband starts from £31.99 for download speeds of 50Mbps, rising to £39.99 for Full Fibre 500 with 500Mbps speeds. BT has waived its upfront cost for even bigger savings, and will contribute up to £100 towards early exit fees.

Switch to Plusnet, and be rewarded with £100 Gift Card to spend anywhere

Switch to Plusnet and you could be rewarded with a £100 Gift Card. This generous giveaway takes the form of a pre-paid Mastercard debit card which can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard... in other words, pretty much anywhere. You could even use it to pay your Plusnet bills! The Full Fibre 500 plan (£33.99) arrives with a £75 Gift Card... but you'll need to upgrade to the speediest Full Fibre 900 for £100

Switch to Virgin Media, with 132Mbps download speeds for just £25.99

Virgin Media owns and operates its own full-fibre network across the UK, so just because you're able to unlock fast download speeds at your address with Sky or BT doesn't mean you'll be able to switch to Virgin Media. If you're one of the 16 million properties with access to its deals, Virgin Media is offering new customers 132Mbps speeds for £25.99, rising to £29.99 for 362Mbps for busier households

Switch to Sky Broadband, with 150Mbps download speeds for just £26

Secure Sky Broadband's Full Fibre 150 plan at its "lowest ever price" in the latest sale. From £26 a month, you'll benefit from an average download speeds of 150Mbps — twice the UK household average, as measured back in 2023. There's no set-up fee for even bigger savings

Switch to Vodafone Broadband, with 150Mbps download speeds for just £27

Vodafone is one of a handful of nationwide UK broadband providers with a wireless hub powered by the faster, more reliable Wi-Fi 6 technology. For supported devices, that should unlock faster speeds and less congestion in busy apartment blocks or households with plenty of smart home gadgets. Vodafone has waived its set-up fee and offers a guaranteed minimum speed of 75 Mbps

Switch to Community Fibre, unlock fast full-fibre speeds for £19

Community Fibre is one of the most well-known Alt-Nets — the term used for smaller, often hyperlocal full-fibre broadband providers springing up across the UK. Community Fibre is hooked up to 1.3 million properties across London, with plans to continue expanding rapidly. Starting from £19 for 100Mbps, Community Fibre charges just £25 for 1,000Mbps speeds

How to switch broadband provider in the UK

Under Ofcom rules, you won't need to get in touch with your current mobile and broadband provider to switch. For out-of-contract broadband customers, signing up to a deal with a new provider will kickstart the process.

Your new ISP (Internet Service Provider) will organise the switchover date with your current supplier.

These companies have an obligation to compensate you if things go awry, for example, if you're left without an internet connection for more than one working day — or if they miss any service or installation appointment.

Likewise, switching between mobile networks is hassle-free. If you want to keep your existing phone number when you switch, text the word PAC to 65075 to begin the process.

Ofcom requires all carriers to respond to that text message in a few minutes with your switching code — known as a "PAC," which remains valid for 30 days — as well as any outstanding charges when leaving your current contract or your current credit balance, if you’re a pay-as-you-go customer.

Signing a contract with a new mobile network and sending them the PAC to bring over your mobile number will finalise the switch. If you want to move providers, but don't want to take your mobile number with you, text the word STAC to 75075 instead.

How long does it take to switch broadband?

Switching broadband providers in the UK typically takes around two weeks, although the exact time can vary depending on the providers involved. Thanks to Ofcom’s rules, switching between most major ISPs is a simple process handled by your new provider. If you're left without service for more than one working day during the switch, you're entitled to automatic compensation – currently £5.83 per day of downtime.

At checkout, your new broadband supplier will list the earliest installation dates available, so you'll have a good idea of when the switch will take place before you place the final order.

How to find out if you can switch broadband or mobile phone companies?

Under Ofcom regulations, all UK mobile phone, broadband, and pay TV providers must now notify customers when their minimum contract term is ending. This “end-of-contract notification” must be sent by text, email or letter between 10 and 40 days before the contract expires.

It will include:

• The exact date your contract ends
• The current monthly price you’re paying
• Any changes to your price or service once the deal expires
• Your provider’s best available deals (including those for existing customers)
• A reminder that you can switch with no penalty

If you suspect that you've missed this notification, or want suspect you're coming to the end of your contract soon, send a text message to 85075 for mobile contracts, and login to your account via a web browser to check the end date for your broadband or pay TV contract.

Staying loyal to your provider might feel easier, but it’s often more expensive. By checking your contract status and exploring your options, you can cut your bills, upgrade your service, or both – without paying a penny in penalties.

The good news? You don’t have to wait for your provider to tell you you’re out of contract.

If you suspect you’re overpaying, start by checking your contract status today. It could be the easiest money-saving move you make all year.

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Once you’re out of contract, it’s time to compare. Most providers reserve their best prices and perks – such as free streaming services, faster speeds or cashback – for new customers.

Comparison websites such as Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, or Broadband Genie make it easy to see what’s available in your area. Look for:

• Faster speeds for the same or lower price
• Discounted bundles that include broadband, mobile and TV
• Extra incentives like gift cards, free setup or contract buyout offers

Alternatively, use your new-customer offers as leverage. Call your current provider and ask them to match or beat the deal – many will do so to retain your business.