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Subscriptions: Government Response to the Implementation Consultation

13 April 2026

Proposing MP
Kate Dearden Labour (Co-op)
Halifax
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Business and Trade
View on Parliament.uk -->

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement addresses the government's response to th [2D [K the consultation on implementing new subscription contracts regulations aim [3D [K aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted subscriptions and ensuring clar [4D [K clarity and control over their spending.

Action Requested

The government is publishing its response to the con [3D [K consultation, planning to bring forward secondary legislation when Parliame [8D [K Parliamentary time allows, with the new regime expected to commence in spri [4D [K spring 2027. This includes measures such as extending cooling-off periods f [1D [K for breaches of consumer rights and preventing disproportionately difficult [9D [K difficult terms for cancelling subscriptions.

Key Facts

  • There are an estimated 155 million active subscriptions i [1D [K in the UK.
  • £1.6 billion is spent annually on unwanted subscriptions.
  • [K The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act received Royal Assent on [2D [K on 24 May 2024.
  • Secondary legislation will be brought forward to extend [K cooling-off periods for breaches of consumer rights.
  • Charitable cultural [8D [K cultural and heritage memberships are excluded from the new subscription re [2D [K regime.
  • The new framework is expected to provide £400m in annual consume [7D [K consumer benefits.
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