The Consumer Subscription Contracts Regulations which implement the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 have now been laid before Parliament. Subject to parliamentary approval, the new regime will come into force on 1 January 2027.
Following engagement by a number of charities, the regulations include an exclusion for certain charitable memberships. The exclusion applies where membership gives access to performances, collections, or places connected to the charity’s purposes, such as museums, galleries, historical properties, landscapes, wildlife sites, and performing arts venues.
The government has also published draft guidance on the new rules. This is expected to be re-issued in final form once the legislation has completed its parliamentary passage, although we are not currently expecting any significant changes.