UK PM Burnham pledges new rules to end subscription traps

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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to crack down on hard-to-cancel subscriptions and fake discounts, Downing Street said on Sunday. New rules taking effect in January will force businesses to give clearer upfront information, regular reminders, and an easier exit from contracts. A 14-day cooling-off period will let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term renewal. Hindustan Times reports that British consumers currently waste an estimated £1.6 billion a year on unwanted subscriptions. Burnham also promised to tackle misleading discount claims based on inflated full prices. The announcements come as the Labour leader begins a cost-of-living tour across the UK, visiting economically depressed areas such as Port Talbot in Wales. Opposition politicians have criticised the measures as insufficient.