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  • NEWS STORY : Farage faces Count Binface in record 34-candidate Clacton by-election on Thursday

    NEWS STORY : Farage faces Count Binface in record 34-candidate Clacton by-election on Thursday

    Nigel Farage will attempt to return to Parliament in the Clacton by-election on Thursday against a record field of 34 candidates, including satirical candidate Count Binface. Farage resigned as MP for the Essex constituency in July before standing again for Reform UK, creating an unusual contest in which Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens have all chosen not to field candidates.

    Tendring District Council says the 34 names on the ballot are believed to represent a record for a UK parliamentary election, exceeding the 26 candidates who stood in the 2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election. Alongside Farage and Count Binface, the ballot includes candidates from smaller parties and a large number of independents. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on 13 August, with the result expected after counting begins that night.

    The campaign has attracted national attention because Farage is seeking to regain the same seat only weeks after vacating it, while the absence of the main Westminster parties has given greater prominence to the smaller candidates. Count Binface, the political character created by comedian Jon Harvey, has used the contest to promote a satirical manifesto. Farage remains the best-known candidate in a constituency he won at the 2024 general election.

  • NEWS STORY : Economists warn Burnham may need up to £25 billion in tax rises

    NEWS STORY : Economists warn Burnham may need up to £25 billion in tax rises

    STORY

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham could need tax rises worth up to £25 billion to fund Government spending commitments while continuing to meet the fiscal rules, according to an assessment by Capital Economics. The consultancy’s deputy chief UK economist Ruth Gregory said additional spending could reach £30 billion to £40 billion, creating pressure for substantial new revenue measures at the autumn Budget.

    The calculation reflects commitments including higher defence spending, a large programme of council housebuilding and measures intended to reduce household costs. Burnham has said the Government will continue to follow its fiscal rules, limiting the extent to which additional day-to-day spending can simply be funded through borrowing. Capital Economics said households were likely to bear a significant share of any tax increases required to close the gap.

    No package of tax rises of this size has been announced by the Government and the £25 billion figure is an independent forecast rather than Treasury policy. Burnham has committed not to increase the main rates of VAT, national insurance or income tax, which would restrict the Chancellor’s options if further revenue is required. The Government is due to set out its tax and spending decisions at the Budget on 28 October.

  • NEWS STORY : Labour moves ahead of Reform in new YouGov poll

    NEWS STORY : Labour moves ahead of Reform in new YouGov poll

    STORY

    Labour has moved ahead of Reform UK in the latest YouGov voting intention poll for The Times, with the governing party on 24%, Reform on 22% and the Conservatives on 21%. The result leaves the three largest parties separated by only three percentage points and marks a further improvement for Labour since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July.

    The poll suggests Labour is recovering support among people who backed the party at the 2024 general election. The proportion of Labour’s 2024 voters saying they would now vote for the party again has risen from 49% in June to 60%, while Labour support among 18 to 24-year-olds has increased from 14% to 25%. Reform has meanwhile fallen to its lowest level in YouGov’s tracker since March 2025.

    The Conservatives remain close behind both parties, underlining how fragmented voting intention remains. YouGov’s figures put all three leading parties within the normal margin of error of one another, meaning the poll does not establish a decisive national lead. The Greens and Liberal Democrats each fell by one point in the latest survey, while the broader trend shows Labour regaining ground after the leadership change.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains concerned by reports of systematic ill-treatment of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, by Russian authorities – UK statement at the UN Arria meeting on Ukraine [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains concerned by reports of systematic ill-treatment of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, by Russian authorities – UK statement at the UN Arria meeting on Ukraine [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 August 2026.

    Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Arria meeting on Implementing international humanitarian law: prisoners of war, civilian detainees and foreign fighters, in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by reports of systematic ill-treatment of prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and vulnerable foreign nationals by Russian authorities, as they pursue their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    I also want to thank the briefers for joining us today to share their testimony and expertise.

    International humanitarian law and international human rights law are clear. 

    Prisoners of war and civilian detainees must be treated humanely. 

    Torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and arbitrary deprivation of life are prohibited. 

    These are not optional standards. 

    They are binding obligations.

    That is why UN reporting and the testimony that we will hear today is so concerning.

    UN reporting has documented arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture of civilian detainees by Russian authorities and armed forces in areas under their control. 

    It has also raised concerns that civilians appeared to have been used as bargaining chips in exchanges, amounting to hostage-taking which is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    The evidence on prisoners of war is equally troubling. 

    UN reporting has documented a systematic, widespread, and consistent pattern of torture and ill-treatment amongst Ukrainian prisoners of war released from Russian captivity. 

    According to the OHCHR, 96% of released Prisoners of War provided accounts of torture or ill-treatment. 

    The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has documented accounts of stress positions, electric shocks, suffocation, and mock executions.

    Wider reporting, including by the Moscow Mechanism, echoes these accounts. 

    It has noted that this conduct may amount to widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. 

    They also document the denial of right to fair trial, unsafe detention and transfer conditions, and arbitrary killings.

    We are also concerned by findings of the UN-mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine on the deceptive and coercive recruitment of foreign nationals to fight with Russian forces. 

    This has affected many countries globally. 

    The Commission’s investigations involving nationals from 17 countries documented instances in which individuals were deceived or lured from abroad through promises of civilian work, transported to Russia, pressed into military contracts they did not understand, and deployed to hazardous frontline duties. 

    Findings report their mistreatment and lasting trauma. 

    Russia is bound by the same rules as every other state engaged in conflict. 

     Russia has a responsibility to ensure prisoners of war and civilian detainees are treated humanely, under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions.

    The United Kingdom calls on Russia to end these practices, to allow meaningful international monitoring, facilitate exchanges and family contact, and comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

    Colleagues, the issues that we will hear about today are yet another consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    So I urge Russia to commit to a comprehensive ceasefire and engage in negotiations for a just and lasting peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits Port of Tyne to support plastic pellet clean-up [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits Port of Tyne to support plastic pellet clean-up [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 August 2026.

    Marine Minister Stephen Morgan today visited the Port of Tyne to meet representatives from the Port, local authorities, the Environment Agency and other organisations involved in the clean-up operation following the pollution incident involving plastic pellets known as nurdles.

    Joined by Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell, the Minister heard directly from the team at the Port of Tyne and discussed actions being taken to protect the environment and restore impacted coastal areas.  

    Visiting Littlehaven Beach, the Minister met with community groups and volunteers involved in the recovery efforts and thanked them for their continued work to clear impacted beaches.

    Recovery efforts following the release of approximately 17 tonnes of small plastic pellets after a collision between two vessels at the Port of Tyne on 19 July continue to be led by the Port of Tyne and local authorities, with Defra and the Environment Agency working closely with partners to support recovery. 

    Marine Minister Stephen Morgan said:

    People in the North East rightly expect a strong, coordinated response to this incident. That’s why the government and the Environment Agency have been working closely with local partners since this serious pollution happened.

    I want to thank volunteers on the ground, who are spending time every day clearing the beaches and recognise the work of local leaders to bring together organisations and take necessary action. 

    Meeting the people at the forefront of the recovery effort is vital so we can better understand the challenges they face and help to ensure the clean-up happens as quickly and effectively as possible.

    The government and the Environment Agency are assisting local partners such as the Port of Tyne in any way we can, including a deploying additional boats, monitoring, providing resources from elsewhere in the country and holding the plastics industry to account.

    The visit follows a call led by Minister Morgan and Ports Minister Keir Mather on 7 August with key partners, elected mayors and lead responding organisations to discuss recovery progress and identify where additional government support could assist local efforts.

    The Minister also saw how the Environment Agency is mobilising additional drone surveys, vessels and specialist response teams to strengthen monitoring and support targeted recovery operations. He was also informed that Community Officers are standing by for immediate deployment to support affected communities with advice and information.

    Defra is also working closely with marine science experts at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) to strengthen environmental monitoring and analysis, helping build a clearer picture of any impacts from the incident and informing longer-term recovery efforts.

    The government is also working to strengthen protections around the transportation of plastic pellets such as nurdles and reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £130 million for cutting-edge next generation vehicles securing over 1,800 jobs [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : £130 million for cutting-edge next generation vehicles securing over 1,800 jobs [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business on 10 August 2026.

    Britain’s automotive sector will benefit from almost £130 million of investment to ramp up new zero emission technologies, government has announced today.

    • Investment will support over 1,800 high-value manufacturing jobs, delivering on the Prime Minister’s mission for good growth in every postcode.
    • Almost £65m of government funding, matched by industry, will drive cutting-edge zero-emission projects, from self-driving cars to more affordable EVs.
    • Modern Industrial Strategy is bringing business and science together to drive British innovation, boost reindustrialisation and cement the UK’s leading role in advanced manufacturing.

    Britain’s automotive sector is set to benefit from nearly £130 million of investment to ramp up cutting-edge new zero emission vehicle technologies and support skilled jobs nationwide as the government focuses on delivering good growth in every postcode.

    Delivered through the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the funding will support over 1,800 jobs – and thousands more in the supply chain – across the UK, helping to put more money in people’s pockets and ensure Britain is better off.

    Auto firms and key R&D partners have been awarded nearly £50 million in government funding that will help businesses build and produce the zero-emission vehicle technologies of the future at scale – helping to drive economic growth while simultaneously making EVs cheaper for consumers.

    This latest funding is delivered through the DRIVE35 programme – the biggest government investment into the UK’s car industry of the post-war era, with £4 billion to 2035 speeding up the electrification of the automotive industry. This builds on the Government’s mission to reindustrialise every part of the UK, back British innovation and ensure companies are able to succeed and scale here at home.

    Industry Minister Blair McDougall said:

    Britain invented the modern motor industry and we’re determined to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed and built here too.

    This investment will secure skilled jobs, strengthen our manufacturing heartlands and help drive the reindustrialisation of Britain.

    Through our Modern Industrial Strategy we’re backing working people and British businesses to deliver growth in every part of the country.

    From Gateshead to Crewe, the Government is doubling down on its commitment to delivering growth in every region. With the North East and West Midlands serving as the UK’s powerhouse regions for automotive manufacturing, this funding will provide vital support to flagship companies such as Turntide Technologies and Bentley – helping to ensure the next generation of vehicles are designed, developed and built here in the UK.

    This follows £100 million worth of DRIVE35 grant funding already being delivered to supply chain businesses in both of these regions, preparing them for the electric vehicle transition.

    With the connected and automated mobility (CAM) industry expected to create tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and contribute around £66 billion to the economy by 2040, according to SMMT. 

    The Government is injecting £17 million into a further nine successful CAM Pathfinder projects, paving the way for innovators to develop, test and scale cutting-edge transport technologies – reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in this growing industry.

    Altogether this industry-matched funding totals nearly £130 million, showcasing the best of British innovation on the global stage and bolstering the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector.

    Ian Constance, Chief Executive at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, said:

    The projects announced today demonstrate the depth of innovation and engineering excellence that exists across the UK automotive sector. Through DRIVE35, we are supporting businesses to move promising technologies to commercial deployment and manufacturing at scale. 

    This investment is about far more than individual projects. It is about strengthening the UK’s capability to design, develop and build the technologies that will define the vehicles of the future. By bringing together industry, government and academia, DRIVE35 is helping create the conditions for long-term growth, increasing investor confidence and reinforcing the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for automotive innovation.

    Background:

    • DRIVE35 is built to anchor future vehicle production, scale up battery manufacturing, grow the UK’s most innovative tech companies and onshore the supply chain capabilities that make British automotive genuinely resilient.
    • It is designed to directly support over 50,000 direct jobs plus tens of thousands more in the supply chain, cut millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and unlock billions in private investment by 2035. 
    • The funding award from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is facilitated via the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) in partnership with Innovate UK. 
    • The 2026/27 CAM Pathfinder Programme will fund nine new projects that show the breadth of the UK’s connected and automated mobility sector, from enabling technologies such as sensors, brake-by-wire systems and AI simulation to real-world deployment in public transport, passenger mobility, construction, airport operations and highways maintenance.
    • Together, the projects will help build UK supply chain capability and move commercially scalable, safe automated mobility services closer to use across the economy.
    • The APC collaborates with UK Government, the automotive industry, and academia to facilitate driving research and investment in zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. Established in 2013 and jointly funded by the DBIST and the automotive industry, the APC accelerates the technologies that support the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. 
  • PRESS RELEASE : Two Trustees reappointed to the Theatres Trust board [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two Trustees reappointed to the Theatres Trust board [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 August 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has reappointed Annie Hampson and Katie Town as Trustees of the Theatres Trust Board for six months from 13 September 2026.

    Annie Hampson OBE

    Annie was formerly the Chief Planning Officer at the City of London and has had a variety of senior Local Government roles over a period of 40 years. She was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to Planning in London. She is currently the Chair of the Diocese of London Advisory Committee which covers 460 Churches and in addition advises on a number of development and strategic Committees and architectural selection panels. She is also a Judge for the International Property Awards.

    Katie Town

    Katie Town is Chief Executive of Theatre Royal Wakefield, a Grade II listed Frank Matcham theatre in West Yorkshire. Since joining the organisation in 2015, she has led a period of significant creative and organisational transformation, including the delivery of a major capital development and new theatre extension. Katie previously worked as General Manager of the National Theatre’s Learning Department. Originally a barrister, she pursued a career in the arts, with roles at Royal Opera House and then in a range of arts organisations, including Candoco Dance Company.

    Alongside her executive leadership role, Katie is Chair of Arts Catalyst, a contemporary arts organisation supporting artists and communities through socially engaged practice. She is also a Co-Founder of the Local Theatre Touring Alliance, a national network advocating for the future of local theatre and touring across the UK.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Trustees of the Theatres Trust are not remunerated. 

    These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.

    Annie Hampson and Katie Town have declared no such political activity.

    Notes to Editors

    DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints Alex Milward as new HMTC for North America and HM Consul General New York [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints Alex Milward as new HMTC for North America and HM Consul General New York [August 2026]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business on 10 August 2026.

    The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is pleased to announce that Alex Milward has been appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for North America and His Majesty’s Consul General to New York. He will take up the position in August 2026.

    Alex takes up the role at an important moment for the UK’s relationship with North America.

    The UK and United States recently concluded an Economic Prosperity Deal, strengthening a trading relationship worth $437 billion (£332 billion). The UK is a leading investor in over 22 states nationwide, including New York, Texas and Florida. 

    The UK’s accession to CPTPP is also creating new opportunities with Canada, building on a bilateral trading relationship worth C$62 billion (£34 billion) and supporting deeper collaboration in areas including AI, semiconductors, digital trade and advanced technologies.

    Alex brings more than 30 years of experience across the private and public sectors, spanning digital, energy, defence, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing and professional services and more recently, as head of the UK’s Carbon Capture programme at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

    He will be supported by Deputy Trade Commissioner Alan Gogbashian and Deputy Consul General Mel Lawrence.

    Alex Milward said:

    I am honoured to be appointed His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General to New York. The United States and Canada are among the UK’s closest economic and cultural partners, and there is tremendous momentum in our relationships. From advancing the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal and major investment commitments, to deepening cooperation with Canada through CPTPP and our new Growth and Innovation Partnership, we are creating opportunities for businesses and investors across all three countries.

    I look forward to building on these strong foundations, supporting UK companies to grow internationally and attracting investment that delivers jobs, innovation and prosperity across the UK.

    Alex replaces Oliver Christian MVO, who has served as HM Trade Commissioner for North America since April 2025.

    Oliver Christian MVO said:

    It has been a privilege to serve as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America at a defining period for the UK’s relationship with the United States and Canada. In just the past year, we have strengthened our economic ties across the continent, supported the conclusion of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, advanced record levels of trade and investment, and helped deliver landmark moments in the bilateral relationship, including President Trump’s State Visit to the United Kingdom and Their Majesties’ recent visit to the United States.

    These achievements reflect the strength of our partnerships and the outstanding work of teams and dedicated public servants across government and our network in North America.

    Role of the HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for North America

    The HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for North America cooperates closely with the wider diplomatic network and other colleagues to coordinate the government effort overseas to promote UK trade and prosperity.

    The Trade Commissioner has full responsibility for all Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade work in the United States of America and Canada, including:

    · Growing the overall trade and investment relationship

    · Improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)

    · Developing trade policy

    · Connecting emerging UK sectors, from foundational research through to scaling-up innovative firms, with North American markets and investment opportunities

    The HMTC also works closely with the wider diplomatic network and UK based colleagues to coordinate HMG activity on our wider prosperity agenda.

  • NEWS STORY : Bradford car dealer ordered to repay £66,917 after Covid loan fraud

    NEWS STORY : Bradford car dealer ordered to repay £66,917 after Covid loan fraud

    STORY

    A Bradford second-hand car dealer has been ordered to repay £66,917 after fraudulently securing a £50,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan for his business. Javed Akhtar was given a confiscation order at Bradford Crown Court on 6 August and must repay the money within three months. If he fails to do so, he could face six months in prison while still remaining liable for the full amount.

    Akhtar had previously admitted fraudulently applying for the maximum £50,000 Bounce Back Loan available for Natasha Motors Ltd in May 2020. He claimed the company had a turnover of £400,000, but the Insolvency Service said that declaration was false. During an interview under caution, Akhtar gave differing figures for the company’s 2019 turnover and said the loan application had been completed on his instruction by the firm’s accountant. He was sentenced in March to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

    An Insolvency Service financial investigation identified assets including three cars and a solar panel investment worth more than £150,000. Officials said this showed Akhtar had sufficient assets to repay the Bounce Back Loan in full, together with an uplift reflecting the change in the value of money since 2020. Akhtar was separately disqualified as a company director in August 2023 for failing to provide adequate accounting records, with his six-year ban running until August 2029.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister starts roll out of ‘everyday fixes’ on the cost of living – ending rip-off discounts and subscription traps [August 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister starts roll out of ‘everyday fixes’ on the cost of living – ending rip-off discounts and subscription traps [August 2026]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 August 2026.

    The Prime Minister has announced that he will be rolling out a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help people with the cost of living, kicking off with two measures today.

    • Prime Minister wastes no time to end subscription traps, with new “easy to exit” rules brought forward to help consumers cancel easily and prevent them losing more money
    • He is also taking action to tackle misleading discounts and rip off prices that fleece customers
    • This is just the start of a series of ‘everyday fixes’ that will be announced to ease the cost of living and give families room to breathe

    The Prime Minister has announced that he will be rolling out a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help people with the cost of living, kicking off with two measures today. 

    Pretend prices and deceptive deals will be a thing of the past under the Prime Minister’s plans to ban retailers from making misleading claims to customers about discounts.  Shoppers have increasingly complained about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing them only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are.

    This includes discounted prices being the same as they were before the discount, intended to trick consumers into thinking they are getting good value whilst saving them nothing and creating an uneven playing field for honest competitors.

    The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to subscription traps, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost.  New rules will now come into force in January 2027, in time for when customers often start new subscriptions for the year ahead.

    Saving an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders and a much easier exit to contracts.  A new 14-day cooling-off period will also let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.

    With households still watching every pound, it’s right to act to restore fairness. There are around 155 million active subscriptions in the UK, with consumers spending an estimated £1.6 billion a year on ones they don’t actually want, a direct hit to family budgets.

    For the many businesses who already give customers plenty of notice before subscriptions renew and make contacts easy to leave, very little is changing. They will benefit from clearer rules and a more level playing field, without being undercut by competitors who have more complicated processes that rip off consumers.

    Certain charitable memberships for cultural and heritage organisations will be excluded from the new subscription rules given the unique role they have in preserving and opening up access to the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:

    I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps. 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.  I’m determined to pull every single lever we can to provide people with some room to breathe on the cost of living. 

    We’re putting an end to phoney bargains. If something is advertised as half price, it should actually be half price. We’re also making it as easy to leave a subscription as it is to join.

    These are just two of the everyday fixes we’re going to be rolling out – today is just the start. We want to put more money in people’s pockets and give people hope that politics really can work for them and their everyday lives.

    The Prime Minister is determined to use every chance he gets to restore fairness and take pressure off people. This is the start of a series of practical, everyday fixes that will put more money in people’s pockets, give them greater peace of mind, and make life a little easier.

    This follows his week-one action to cap bus fares and make energy bills more affordable for millions of households. 

    A consultation will launch this autumn to assess whether tactics such as fake “was” prices, invented discounts and misleading recommended retail prices (RRPs) should be added to the list of practices banned under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA).

    Under current laws, it can be difficult for enforcers to take on these cases. Adding these tactics to this list would mean they will automatically be considered unfair, making it easier to crack down while making rules simpler for businesses to follow.

    Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    There’s nothing worse than realising you’ve been fleeced by a dodgy deal, or seen money leaving your account because of a subscription you didn’t want to renew or couldn’t easily cancel.

    This Government is on the side of families working hard to make ends meet, while making sure the rules are clear for businesses and easy to follow.

    Sue Davies MBE, Head of Consumer Rights Policy at Which?, said:

    Which? has repeatedly exposed businesses, including trusted household brands, ripping off customers with dodgy deals that aren’t what they seem – but regulators have often found it too difficult to take action. It’s great news that the government intends to tighten up the law and explicitly ban misleading pricing practices, while putting an end to subscription traps.

    The government must implement these rules swiftly to give consumers much-needed protection against sneaky pricing tactics and hold businesses to account with tough enforcement, including fines, if they fall short.

    Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

    For too long consumers have been tricked into paying for products or services they don’t use – or didn’t even want to begin with – costing millions of pounds each year. So we really welcome the government’s move to speed up action on subscription traps and look at banning other tactics firms use to catch consumers out.

    At Citizens Advice, we’ve sounded the alarm on this for years, because we know subscription traps and sneaky online practices that hit consumers’ pockets hard are a widespread problem. We previously found that over 13 million people (26% of UK adults) accidentally took out a subscription in a year. 

    People shouldn’t have to waste their time and effort avoiding dubious online tactics and fixing unwanted purchases and sign-ups. Today’s announcement is an important move, but it can’t be the end of the story. We look forward to seeing the detail in the consultation on deceptive online pricing and how it will ensure consumers are protected and treated fairly.

    Helen Undy OBE, CEO of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said:

    It can be hard for anyone to spot a misleading discount, but this is particularly difficult for people with mental health problems who can struggle with concentration, impulsivity and decision-making, which can make it harder to resist pressure selling tactics and compare prices to get a fair deal.

    This group is already at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis – people with mental health problems are three times as likely to currently be behind on some or all household bills – so it’s good news that the government is taking action to help tight budgets go further, and it’s important that it happens quickly. 

    It’s also encouraging to see that the subscription trap protections will be brought forward. We know that the symptoms of mental health problems such as increased impulsivity and memory problems, can contribute to someone signing up without realising and forgetting about a subscription. We’ve long argued that it should be as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up – and as ever the proof will be in how companies put this into practice. 

    Today’s announcement is good news – however, subscription traps and misleading discounts are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unfair practices that make it harder to get a fair deal when you’re struggling with your mental health. We look forward to working with the government to see what further action can be taken in future.