Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

Thursday 5 February 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial consultation will modernize regulation of veterinary professionals to support those in the sector.
  • Vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments to improve transparency.
  • Concerns raised about clarity and fairness in the provision of pet insurance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Following a BBC 'Panorama' programme that aired on January 12, which reported concerns about upselling practices by veterinarians employed by large veterinary companies. This raised concerns among pet owners and prompted calls for reform to protect consumers.

Question

Pet owners have been facing rising vet costs for years, and the recent BBC 'Panorama' programme revealed that some vets felt pressured into upselling unnecessary treatments. My constituents were shocked and appalled by these revelations. Can she assure the House that the consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act will bring in not only much-needed reforms to support those who work in the sector, but also protection for pet owners?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

Yes, I can assure the House. The consultation will look at a range of issues including modernising the regulation of veterinary professionals to support those who work in the sector. We will also require vet practices to publish price lists for common treatments and improve price transparency so that pet owners get a better deal.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the issue of pet owners facing high veterinary costs, including concerns about pet insurance that often does not cover what was expected.

Question

We are a nation of animal lovers. My wife's love for cats influenced me to accept her cats as my own. Can I bring to the Minister’s attention the issue of pet insurance? When someone goes to claim on their policy, they find out that the small print means they do not have the cover they thought they had. Will she look at pet insurance as well when considering veterinary regulation?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

We need to look at all elements of price transparency, including insurance. This includes ensuring that there is greater clarity and fairness in the provision of pet insurance.

Answered
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Q3 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Employment Agriculture & Rural Affairs Parliamentary Procedure
Context

There is concern within the veterinary sector that recent communications from DEFRA have conflated reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act with a CMA inquiry, focusing solely on pricing issues. This has caused distress among veterinarians regarding morale and mental health.

Question

I declare my professional interest as a veterinary surgeon. While welcoming the Government’s consultation to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, I am concerned that DEFRA’s communications conflated this with the CMA inquiry, leading to media narratives focusing solely on pricing issues and causing distress within the sector. Will the Government reassure stakeholders that they will work closely with them to get this legislation right? Can they guarantee parliamentary time for it?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and acknowledge his expertise in this field. While I understand his concerns regarding morale within the veterinary sector, it is important to address the CMA’s findings that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation which is a matter of concern for pet owners across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not fully address the specific ask about prioritising parliamentary time and stakeholder engagement.

How: Will Take Into Account, Of Concern

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