Ms Lockhart was contacted by a constituent who had switched home insurance through Uswitch and received a £5 Costa Coffee voucher as part of a promotional offer, only to discover that the voucher could not be redeemed in Northern Ireland.

Following representations from Ms Lockhart, Uswitch reviewed the issue and has now confirmed that Northern Ireland customers will be offered an equivalent cashback alternative in place of vouchers that cannot be used locally. The company has also updated its terms and conditions and website information to make this clear.

Commenting, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“When a constituent brought this issue to my attention, I immediately recognised that it was unfair. Consumers in Northern Ireland should not be treated differently or excluded from promotions that are available elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

While this may seem like a small issue to some, it highlights a much wider principle. Northern Ireland consumers deserve fairness and equal treatment, regardless of where they live.

I raised the matter directly with Uswitch and challenged why customers here were effectively being disadvantaged. I am pleased that the company listened, reviewed its position and agreed to make changes.

As a result, Northern Ireland customers will now be offered an equivalent cashback alternative where vouchers cannot be redeemed locally, ensuring they are not left out of promotional offers.

This is a positive outcome and demonstrates the importance of standing up for constituents when issues arise. Fairness matters, and I will continue to challenge situations where Northern Ireland consumers are treated differently from those elsewhere in the UK.”

Ms Lockhart said the outcome shows that practical concerns raised by constituents can lead to meaningful change and encouraged anyone experiencing similar issues to get in touch with her office.