- As part of the government's drive to bring down the cost of
living, the Chancellor has written to the Competition and
Markets Authority (CMA) urging them to launch
a market study into private dentistry costs and
practices.
- There are increasing concerns that patients
are paying more than they should because of hidden
costs, overtreatment and lack of
information on price, ownership and quality of
treatment.
- It comes alongside reports of private practices
offering to take on children of customers as NHS
patients only if parents sign on as private
patients.
- The Chancellor also informed the CMA that following their
investigation into petrol forecourts and recommendations to bring
greater price transparency, Motorists will start to see data
in their mapping apps, satnavs and price comparison websites
which will let them know where to get the best price at the pump
for fuel in their local area early next year.
- This scheme was a recommendation made by the Competition
and Markets Authority after they found that the amount retailers
make in profit on every £1 spent on fuel has more than doubled at
some supermarkets, with similar increases at other
forecourts.
- During this time, this government has kept fuel duty frozen
to support households and businesses, which suggests that savings
on fuel duty have not been passed onto customers
- Fuel providers will have to report changes to fuel
prices in near real time so that savvy drivers can compare to get
the best price. Government officials estimate that this could
knock £40 a year off a household's annual fuel bill or
up to 6p a litre.
- With prices openly available, this is also an incentive for
fuel providers to offer drivers more competitive prices.
- The Chancellor also confirmed that the government is ready to
act on the CMA's recent investigation into the veterinary
sector, with further details due to be set out in due
course
- This comes as the Chancellor prepares for the Budget
next week of which tackling the cost of living is a key
priority while also focusing on continuing to cut
waiting lists and bring down the national debt.
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
“The scourge of hidden costs, lack of transparency and
overtreatment has blighted families in need of dental treatment
for too long. That's why I want to see urgent action taken to
help reduce prices, whilst the cost of living still puts pressure
on families across the country.
“At next week's Budget I'll set out the fair choices I will take
to deliver on the public's priorities: cutting NHS waiting lists,
cutting national debt and cutting the cost of living.”
