House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Subscriptions: Government Response to the Implementation Consultation
13 April 2026 · Department for Business and Trade
Proposed by Kate Dearden Labour (Co-op) Halifax
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government publishes response to consultation on new subscription contracts regulations
- Planned secondary legislation to be introduced when Parliamentary time allows
- New regime to commence in spring 2027 with measures to protect consumers
Issue summary
The statement addresses the government's response to the consultation on implementing new subscription contracts regulations aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted subscriptions and ensuring clarity and control over their spending.
Action requested
The government is publishing its response to the consultation, planning to bring forward secondary legislation when Parliamentary time allows, with the new regime expected to commence in spring 2027. This includes measures such as extending cooling-off periods for breaches of consumer rights and preventing disproportionately difficult terms for cancelling subscriptions.
Key facts
- There are an estimated 155 million active subscriptions in the UK.
- £1.6 billion is spent annually on unwanted subscriptions.
- The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024.
- Secondary legislation will be brought forward to extend cooling-off periods for breaches of consumer rights.
- Charitable cultural and heritage memberships are excluded from the new subscription regime.
- The new framework is expected to provide £400m in annual consumer benefits.