Shropshire vet charity raise concerns over new Government price transparency rules
PDSA warns publishing low-cost or free treatment prices could confuse pet owners and put unnecessary pressure on charity clinics
A charity vet branch in Shropshire is warning that new rules that forces all vet practices to publish price lists could confuse pet owners and waste resources.
Vets in the UK will have to publish price lists for common treatments and disclose whether they are independent or part of a chain under proposed reforms aimed at improving transparency in the sector.
The government says the plans will help pet owners understand what they are paying for, avoid unexpected costs, and encourage competition between practices.
Every veterinary practice would need an official operating licence—similar to GP surgeries or care homes—and provide clear routes for customers to raise concerns.
The proposals follow a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) finding that vet fees have risen at almost twice the rate of inflation, with owners often given limited information about treatment costs.
The reforms are intended to make the system fairer, clearer, and more transparent while supporting veterinary professionals.
Animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman said:
"Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive.
"We're focused on making vet services work better for families by improving transparency, increasing choice and helping people make informed decisions, while continuing to support the professionals who care for our animals."
Charity vet concerns:
Steve Howard, Chief Veterinary Advisor at Shropshire's PDSA, welcomed efforts to make veterinary care more accessible and transparent but raised concerns about the impact on charity clinics.
He said:
"PDSA supports making veterinary care easier to access, transparent and more affordable.
"However, we have called on CMA to allow charity veterinary practices to opt out of some of the proposed measures because there is no benefit in publishing price lists where treatment is already provided at no or low cost."
"As a charity, we provide funded care to those who meet eligibility criteria. Including our prices in a wider comparison would confuse pet owners and attract people who aren’t eligible for our support.
"This will add unnecessary pressure on charity clinics."
The CMA consultation on the proposals will run for eight weeks, giving pet owners and veterinary professionals the chance to provide feedback.