December 19, 2016

The consultation sets out how the PSA seeks to meet its strategic priorities and ensure consumer protection in the phone-paid services market.

The Business Plan and Budget sets out the resources the PSA requires in 2017/18 and proposes:

• a full operating budget of £3,850k;
• this represents a 5% saving in real terms from 2016/17 and 16% in total since 2015/16; and
• a reduced adjusted levy of 0.48%, down from 0.63% for 2016/17.

These savings are being delivered in the context of a significant increase in the PSA’s day-to-day operations. The PSA expects total contacts across all channels, including phone, web and number checker to be 41% higher this financial year. It also expects the total number of substantive cases worked on this year to be 24% higher than in 2015/16.

The PSA is required by Ofcom to ensure that it is sufficiently funded to meet its statutory obligations. The proposed budget provides the necessary capacity and capabilities required to deliver its work. The regulator says that it remains mindful of the overall cost of regulation and continues to identify cost efficiencies where achievable.

The consultation runs until 27 January 2017. To access the consultation, click here.