Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Chair writes to Microsoft about price hikes

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Chair, Chi Onwurah, has written to Microsoft asking for details about price increases for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans, which were raised by 42% and 31% respectively earlier this year. 

Microsoft's reply outlined that the increase in subscription prices was due to inflation, rising costs of business and product enhancements such as Copilot AI.  

Their reply also stated that subscribers received email notices about the price changes, which contained information on how to cancel their current subscriptions or switch to a different plan. 

Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Chi Onwurah MP, said:  

“Price hikes to Microsoft 365 subscriptions have left many customers outraged. While I thank Microsoft for such a prompt reply to my letter, I remain concerned that it did not properly communicate to its millions of UK-based subscribers that there were lower-price options available.  

“The company should have far more effective signposting of the fact that customers can opt out of these higher cost subscriptions, by choosing not to include Copilot.  

“Of course, AI offers fantastic opportunities for productivity gains and can save people valuable time. However, the public should be able to make informed decisions for themselves about whether they want to use it and pay for it. If similar changes are made in the future, Microsoft must make it clearer that customers can opt out.