Law needs to change to stop businesses hiding costs in small print

Citizens Advice responds to the Law Comission and Scottish Law Comission calls for courts to have power to scrutinise the fairness of prices.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice said:

“Hidden costs in the small print are a nasty shock and can often cause money problems. Unfortunately we see it all too often with things like overdraft charges, payday loans and gym contracts.

"It's only right that the price on display is what you actually pay.  The law needs to change to widen what unfair terms cover and stop businesses burying costs in the small print."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website .

  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk . You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk

  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.