Government Accelerates Consumer Protection Measures Amid Cost of Living Crisis
Plans to tackle 'subscription traps' and deceptive discounts brought forward to January, as Prime Minister faces opposition criticism on economic strategy.
Sarah Connor
New government plans to combat consumer rip-offs will take effect in January, earlier than anticipated.
Andy Burnham, on a nationwide listening tour addressing cost of living pressures, declared, "I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps." He added, "Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life. I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives."
Dame Clare Moriarty confirmed that subscription traps and deceptive discounts constituted “a widespread problem.”
I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps.
The Prime Minister reportedly plans to introduce "everyday fixes" for escalating bills, following prior implementations of a VAT cut on household energy bills and a £2 cap on bus fares.
Government officials indicate the Prime Minister will be in “listening mode” during an August tour across the UK, focusing on the cost of living and enhancing local high streets.
Opposition figures, however, brand the Prime Minister's summer tour a "vanity tour," questioning the funding for his cost of living initiatives, including prior tax cuts and spending plans.
Conservatives and Lib Dems both assert the Government falls short in supporting struggling households.
Sir Mel Stride claims Burnham’s tour announcements demonstrated the Prime Minister had “already run out of ideas.” He further stated that Labour’s tax hikes have driven up costs for hardworking families and eliminated jobs.
Daisy Cooper claims the new Prime Minister should implement strengthened protections against rogue traders, ensure fairer energy bills by providing everyone a discount on essential usage, and aggressively address large supermarkets’ unfair shrinkflation tactics.
Andy Burnham claims the Prime Minister stated the cost of living ‘continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives’ and that the action on subscriptions and “phoney bargains” were “just two of the everyday fixes we’re going to be rolling out.”
Burnham has also committed to eradicating rough sleeping in Britain, a long-term objective.