Awareness of the digital tick label – the logo that indicates a product is ready for digital TV switchover – has been slammed by a powerful committee of MPs.

"Many viewers do not seem fully to understand the implications of the analogue switch-off and are still buying analogue televisions – unaware that they have built-in obsolescence," said MP Edward Leigh, chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

He went on: "The evidence is that the digital tick label with which digital televisions are flagged in shops is a mystery to many retail staff, let alone the people to whom they sell TVs."

Mr Leigh was speaking as his committee published its report on Government preparations for digital switchover.