How new laws should put an end to nasty hidden fees

Drip pricing, micro-charging and other fees

- MARTYN JAMES

Finally some good news! Shopping online is about to get much easier thanks to a ban on 'drip pricing'.

This is when businesses quote a price to lure you in, then add on additional, unavoidable fees that you can't opt out of. As a result, what you are charged out at the checkout can be much higher.

Drip pricing is a big deal The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) found that these unavoidable fees cost us all £2.2 billion every year. The charges affect over half of all entertainment and hospitality transactions and nearly three quarters of transport and communication charges.

These new rules are part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill (DMCC). Drip pricing and fake reviews all both now banned and stronger enforcement powers have been granted to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to enforce the rules.

Not all charges fall under the new drip-pricing rules. Here's an overview.