Telco customer service levels are by far the worst in the UK, with just 30 per cent of consumers happy with the way complaints are resolved, research has indicated.

The survey undertaken by the Daily Mail’s Money Mail also found that 42 per cent of those questioned were unhappy with the service they received from their internet or phone providers over the last 12 months, it was reported on MyCustomer.com.

This figure compared with 46 per cent of banking customers and 49 per cent of shoppers who were satisfied with the way in which their problems were handled.

MoneyMail claimed that such issues were endemic across the industry, with small players being no better than large ones in customer service terms. As a result, it demanded "firm action by regulators" to fix the situation.