Burnham brings forward ban on 'subscription traps' to ease cost of living

Andy Burnham has announced that his government will bring forward measures to end subscription traps and crack down on "pretend prices". The premier said consumers will benefit from an end to alleged subscription traps and a crackdown on "pretend prices". Burnham is advancing a bundle of changes originally announced under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, to make it easier to cancel subscriptions. He also plans to outlaw shops’ use of fake "was" prices, which he said lead shoppers to believe they are receiving better value on purchases. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride described the measures as "reheated" and said the premier "has already tally retired of ideas". The plans were unveiled by Sir Keir Starmer in April but are being accelerated by Burnham’s administration to give families "room to breathe" amid the high cost of living. Burnham, who is touring the UK while Parliament is in recess, has pledged a series of "everyday fixes" to assist households with living costs. He declared: "I'm determined to propulsion each azygous lever we tin to supply radical with immoderate country to respire on the outgo of living." The initiatives aim to simplify cancellation of unwanted subscriptions and prevent consumers from being rolled into costly contracts without their knowledge. Although initially expected to take effect next spring, Burnham’s government has pledged implementation by January 2027. When first announced in April, the government estimated the changes would save consumers £400m annually, or up to £170 per person. Beyond the subscription reforms, Burnham vowed to end retailers’ reliance on "pretend prices", stopping the use of "was" prices, fabricated discounts and misleading recommended retail prices (RRPs) to advertise deals. A consultation will be launched this autumn to determine how the new measures should be applied. Consumer group Which? stated it has "repeatedly exposed businesses, including trusted household brands, ripping off customers with dodgy deals that aren't what they seem". Sue Davies, Which?’s head of consumer rights policy, welcomed the announcement and urged the government to bring the rules in "swiftly". Stride added: "The outgo of surviving didn't go a occupation past week, truthful you person to inquire wherefore it has taken Labour truthful agelong to enact authorities passed by the erstwhile government." The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act, passed by the Conservatives in 2024, had already addressed hidden fees, fake online reviews and simplified subscription cancellations. Burnham’s announcement follows his earlier interventions—a £2 bus fare cap in England and a VAT reduction on household energy bills—to ease living expenses. He may face pressure to deliver more substantial changes in the forthcoming Budget, set to be presented by Chancellor John Healey on 28 October. Healey has emphasised he will enforce "strong fiscal discipline", limiting the government’s spending capacity.