Ofcom: a fine is not yet a collected penalty

Research checked 2026-09-20.

Ofcom's September 15 evidence describes an enforcement bottleneck. Suzanne Cater said most of about £7 million in penalties remained unpaid. She described services introducing age checks but not paying: in her account, compliance removed the ongoing breach needed for business-disruption applications. The transcript is uncorrected oral evidence, not a court ruling.

The witnesses sought targeted changes. Oliver Griffiths also said fines go to the Treasury, not Ofcom. The hearing does not confer the requested powers.

Our reading: an obligation, a penalty and an effective consequence are different stages. Whether the problem calls for stronger powers, better collection or safeguards against overreach depends on the actual cases. Follow the promised collection figures, written evidence and any legislative response.

Ofcom's profile retains the earlier record alongside this dated update.