RIP-OFF mobile phone companies have come in for criticism from a Worcestershire MP - who says it should be made easier for people to get better deals or switch.

Nigel Huddleston, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, is calling upon regulators to step in to avoid the public paying over the odds.

He says since being elected in May many residents have contacted him fed up about either their bill or their inability to get out of it - with some forking out long after they've given their phone company notice to quit.

It came after the new boss of Ofcom, Sharon White, made an appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in parliament to be grilled by MPs.

Mr Huddleston, who sits on the panel, used it to question her about expensive tariffs.

"Just eight per cent of mobile users switch carriers each year while 38 per cent swap car insurance companies," he said.

"Around half of the population have never changed their carrier and according to 'Which' this means 72 per cent of mobile users are on the wrong contract for their actual needs, costing mobile users £5.4 billion a year – or the equivalent of a penny on income tax."

He then asked her what Ofcom was going to do to make it easier for people to leave or secure the best possible deals.

Mrs White said mobile switching was "the next big thing" on Ofcom's radar, telling him they would be conducting a review into switching and tariffs shortly.

Mr Huddleston said: "The problem with pricing is that some people who sign up for a new phone may continue to pay for the cost of the handset even after the initial 24-month contract period.

"This means that they are paying for their device twice."

After the debate he said: "Many constituents have contacted me about poor mobile coverage and service standards.

"It is not surprising that they are very annoyed when they find out that they are paying more for their service than they really need to."