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Consumer Affairs
11 September 2025
Lead MP
Matt Western
Warwick and Leamington
Lab
Responding Minister
Blair McDougall
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Word Count: 12051
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Matt Western raised concerns about consumer affairs in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
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.
Blair McDougall
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
Welcomed the CMA’s guidance on dynamic pricing and assured that the Government will keep a close eye on developments to protect consumers.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
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.
Meg Hillier
Lab/Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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 McDougall
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Government Response
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.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.