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Subscriptions

Asked by Gordon McKeeLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 July 2026UIN 18288

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that businesses simplify the processes of cancelling subscriptions.

Answered by Blair McDougall

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 introduces new consumer protections for consumers in subscriptions. Once the new regime comes into force, businesses will be required to provide clear information before the consumer signs up, send regular reminders about renewals, and ensure it is straightforward to cancel. This includes allowing online cancellation if the consumer can sign up online. In addition, consumers will have a new 14-day renewal cooling-off period after a trial or a contract of 12 months or more auto-renews.

Government has consulted on regulatory proposals to implement the regime and the response can be found here.

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