Gregor Poynton MP has welcomed the UK Labour Government's decision to bring forward new laws making it easier for people to cancel unwanted subscriptions, saying the changes will help families across West Lothian keep more of the money they work hard to earn.

The new consumer protections, originally planned for later implementation, will now come into force three months earlier in January 2027 as part of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's programme of "everyday fixes" to tackle the cost of living.

The reforms are designed to stop people being caught in costly subscription traps by making it as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up. Companies will be required to provide clearer information before customers subscribe, send reminders before contracts renew, and introduce a new 14-day cooling-off period when subscriptions automatically renew after a free trial or long-term contract.

Across the UK, consumers are estimated to spend around £1.6 billion every year on subscriptions they no longer want or use, with unwanted renewals costing the average person around £14 a month.

Gregor Poynton MP said: "Too many people feel like everyday life is designed to catch them out. Families across West Lothian work hard for their money, and they shouldn't lose it because businesses make it easy to sign up but difficult to leave.

"That's why I welcome the UK Labour Government bringing these protections forward by three months. It means people will get the benefit sooner, helping households keep more money in their pockets at a time when every pound still counts.

"This is what Labour in government looks like, taking practical action that makes a real difference to people's everyday lives. This is a government focussed on tackling the cost of living and common-sense changes tlike this will save people money and help to restore fairness."

The measures form part of the UK Labour Government's wider plan to ease pressure on household budgets through practical reforms that help working people with the everyday cost of living.

Gregor added: "Whether it's making it easier to cancel an unwanted subscription, tackling fake discounts or taking action to reduce household costs, Labour is focused on delivering practical changes that put more money back into people's pockets.

"People rightly expect politics to improve their daily lives, and these reforms are another example of the UK Labour Government getting on with the job of delving the change that the Livingston constituency and West Lothian voted for.”