Misleading discounts and obstructive cancellation procedures certainly deserve regulation. But presenting this as a significant response to the cost of living crisis feels like rearranging the cushions while the sofa is on fire (Subscriptions you can’t easily cancel, sales that aren’t sales – I’ll end the rip-offs that British people hate, 9 August).
For millions of households, the problem is not finding the “unsubscribe” button. It is finding that £50 buys remarkably little at the supermarket, while housing and essential bills consume ever more of their income.
Perhaps this is merely the appetiser and something considerably more substantial is coming for the main course. I sincerely hope so. Otherwise, perhaps ministers could extend their new consumer-friendly approach to democracy: one-click cancellation for political subscriptions that no longer offer value for money.
Fernando Quintana Marrero
