New laws are coming to tackle subscription traps, but it pays to stay on your guard

Subscriptions can be very easy to start but notoriously hard to stop. And millions of people across the UK are paying for services they don’t even use.

The government estimates there are 10 million unwanted subscriptions still active. On top of that, around 3.5 million people are being quietly rolled from free or discounted trials into full-price contracts, while another 1.3 million are caught out by unexpected auto-renewals.

Fortunately, new laws are on the way. But until they arrive, you still need to stay on your guard.

What’s changing?

The government is introducing new rules to make subscriptions clearer, fairer and easier to cancel. When they come in, you’ll benefit from:

• one-click cancellations, meaning no more endless phone calls
• 14-day cooling-off period after a trial ends or a yearly plan renews
• clear upfront pricing, so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to
• reminder alerts before trials end or contracts renew
• stronger refund rights if you’re charged unexpectedly

This is designed to stop you being “silently rolled” onto expensive deals, and the government estimates it could save people an average £170 a year.

When do the new rules start?

These changes are expected to come into force in spring 2027.

That means for now, it’s still down to you to keep track of what you’re paying for, and take action if you’re no longer using a subscription or if something doesn’t look right.

What you can do right now

You don’t need to download anything or pay for help. A quick check can save you money straight away.

Check your bank statements

Go through the last three months and look for:

• regular monthly or yearly payments
• names you don’t recognise
• charges from services you no longer use

If you don’t recognise it, don’t ignore it.

Use your banking app

Many apps now group your spending into:

• ‘subscriptions’
• ‘recurring payments’
• ‘regular outgoings’

This gives you a clear view of what’s leaving your account and when.

Cancel what you don’t need

If you find something you’re not using, cancel it:

• via app stores:
• Apple: settings → your name → subscriptions
• Android: Play Store → profile → payments & subscriptions
• via websites:
  Log in, go to ‘account’ or ‘billing’, and select cancel

If you’re not sure how, just search the company name with ‘cancel subscription’.

Still being charged? Go to your bank

If cancelling isn’t straightforward, you can take control.

You have the right to stop:

• direct debits
• recurring card payments

You can usually do this through your banking app, online, or by contacting your bank.

Check your budget regularly

A quick monthly review helps you:

• spot forgotten subscriptions
• cut back on unnecessary spending
• stay in control of your money

Small changes here can make a real difference.

Could you get a refund?

It’s not guaranteed, but it’s always worth asking.

You might get your money back if:

• the payment wasn’t authorised
• the cost wasn’t clearly explained
• you’re still within a cooling-off or grace period

If the company won’t help and the charge seems unfair, your bank may be able to help you claim it back.

If you need extra support

Taking control of your finances doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Starting with your subscriptions is a simple, effective first step, and it won’t cost you anything.

Our free and interactive household bills calculator gives you a personalised forecast of how your monthly costs could change.

It only takes a couple of minutes to use and shows how bills may change based on where you live.

Once you’ve done this, you can take the next step by using our handy budget planner to map out your monthly finances. 

New subscription laws are coming, but until they do, stay alert.

Check your payments, cancel what you don’t use, and question anything that doesn’t look right.