A BRADFORD MP says he believes charging people more for goods or services if they do not use the internet is a form of discrimination.

New research reveals that households who do not use the internet pay an average of £440 more a year for their goods and services.

Bradford East MP David Ward said it was often vulnerable people who chose to pay for things over the phone or in person.

He said: “Vulnerable people should not be overly penalised by simply choosing a more suitable way to access services for them. When you’re paying significantly more for your water, energy or phone bills simply because you don’t operate online, then this is discrimination and it is wrong.

“£440 a year is a lot of money for vulnerable Bradfordians to be paying extra on their household bills and I will be writing to colleagues in the government to raise my concerns about this discriminatory behaviour.”