House of Commons · Westminster Hall
11 September 2025 · 4 other contributors · 12,051 words
Opened by Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Responding minister: Blair McDougall
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Matt Western raised concerns about consumer affairs in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Calls for a consumer champion to address these issues and improve transparency in pricing strategies, including dynamic and algorithmic pricing practices and subscription traps.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
UK consumers feel they are paying more but getting less. Products are not what they were, services are opaque, and prices vary between stores and online due to new technologies like algorithmic pricing. Trust in the food and grocery sector has fallen to a 12-year low with concerns over shrinkflation and price discrepancies.
Welcomed the CMA’s guidance on dynamic pricing and assured that the Government will keep a close eye on developments to protect consumers.
Emphasised the importance of transparency in pricing practices while cautioning against overly restrictive measures that could harm small businesses and venues. Highlighted the decline in night-time economy venues post-pandemic.
Congratulated the lead MP on securing the debate, discussed issues of differential pricing with loyalty cards and finfluencers giving financial advice on social media, highlighting challenges for regulators like the FCA in dealing with online content.
Mr Shannon shared personal experiences of price gouging in flights and changes to product quantities due to rising prices. He emphasised the importance of consumer rights and highlighted issues with flight cancellations without notice, which can leave passengers stranded.
Government Response
Blair McDougallThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
It is a pleasure to serve in my first debate as a Minister under your chairship, Dame Siobhain. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington on securing this debate... We will strengthen the law where necessary to uphold transparency, as evidenced by the recently implemented ban on drip pricing... The CMA is acting when businesses fail to comply with those laws. For example, last year, it took enforcement action against Wowcher, which agreed to change its selling practices after concerns were raised about its use of a countdown timer to pressurise customers, among other marketing claims.