Fines for nuisance callers could be raised to £17.5m

Internet users will also be given tools to restrict cookie consent boxes under proposed data legislation

Nuisance call firms face fines of up to 17.5m and internet users will be able to limit the appearance of pop-up cookie consent boxes under a government overhaul of the UK's data rules.

The financial punishment for cold callers will increase from the current maximum of 500,000 and will be brought in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which can issue a fine of up to 17.5m or 4% of a company's global turnover.