MP Gareth Snell welcomes government crackdown on costly subscription traps   

MP Gareth Snell welcomes government crackdown on costly subscription traps   

 

Hard working people across the country will keep more of their cash under a new government crackdown on unwanted and misleading subscriptions, which will save consumers around £400 million every year.   

The MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central welcomes new rules announced last week, which could save residents on average around £14 every month per unwanted subscription – nearly £170 a year – by making it easier to cancel unwanted services. 

These new measures will make it simpler and far less painful to escape unwanted subscriptions, stop people being silently rolled onto expensive contracts and ensure that companies are upfront and open when selling subscription services. 

At a time when household budgets are under pressure, this action from the Labour Government helps ensure more people across Stoke-on-Trent can keep hold of their hard-earned cash. 

 

Gareth said “Too often people are losing their hard-earned money because of subscription traps. I really welcome the changes which will crack down on surprise subscription charges and ensure money is kept in residents’ pockets.

“When pressures on household budgets are already strained, measures like this offer some relief.”

 

Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Consumer Protection, said: “There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing money you’ve worked hard for, disappear from your account for a subscription you’ve forgotten you had.

“These new rules will put consumers back in control of their money – making subscriptions clearer, fairer and far easier to cancel. This is just another example of the action this Labour Government is taking to tackle the cost of living and back working people.”

 

Once the rules come into force, expected to be in Spring 2027, consumers will benefit from:  

  • Clear, simple information before signing up to any subscription  
  • Reminders before free or discounted trials end, or 12 month+ contracts automatically renew  
  • Straightforward cancellations, including online exits for online sign ups 
  • A 14-day cooling off period, after a free or discounted trial ends, or when a contract renews for 12 months or longer