In its report today on Ofcom’s costs The Times highlights the additional financial burden of Ofcom over and above the costs incurred by the five legacy regulators when they were operating independently. In representing citizen-consumers Ofcom takes its costs out of our pockets - i.e. regulatory costs are passed on to the public by any designated electronic communication service providers and/or licensees.

I am intrested in how this charging balances up against any consumer price decreases (or economically measurable public value) acheived through regulatory initiatives. How do we know when Ofcom turns a profit? Is there a mechanism for assessing this on a like for like basis? Suggestions welcome - particularly from Ofcom.

EXTRA COSTS OFCOM FACES (as detailed by The Times)

Chief executive Stephen Carter: �350,000 a year
Radio Authority loyalty bonuses: �392,000
ITC severance pay: �1.54 million
Start-up loan and repayment: �20 million a year
Additional duties: �8 million a year
VAT payments not previously due: �8 million a year
Fitting out of new headquarters: �11.3 million