Like I often say about Skype though, it's not a proper service, and although you say 'just' £12.99, all you've purchased is a USB speaker and microphone, with a few buttons on it. It's not a telephone at all, you could do the same job with a pair of headphones and microphone.
It's a pity more people don't see Skype for the rubbish it is, and use a proper SIP based service with proper VOIP phones not requiring your PC to be left on when you want a call.