The new deal could make some foods cheaper (Image: GETTY)
Fruits and vegetables coming into the UK from the European Union were due to start stricter border checks from the beginning of next month. However, thanks to Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset deal, these controls will be cut.
Baroness Hayman, biosecurity minister told PA: “This Government’s EU deal will make food cheaper, slash bureaucracy and remove cumbersome border controls for businesses. A strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people as part of our plan for change.” The new deal will eliminate routine border checks for certain items, making it quicker, easier and cheaper to get the food into the UK.
In turn, this will gradually work its way down to consumers which will be seen in shifting prices and availability. With the new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal in place, experts believe it will save businesses around £200million in additional supply chain costs.
The produce industry was not a fan of the proposed controls from the start, noting that it would add to inflation, put pressure on food supply chains potentially even to the point of threatening the future of businesses.
Items classed as ‘medium risk’ including tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches and peppers can now be imported without the additional associated checks or fees. The implementation of these checks was pushed back four times before now being cancelled.
The checks on fruit and vegetables were the latest phase of the Government’s Border Target Operating Model which introduced checks on animal and plant products last year.
The latest relaxation in trade rules will take place until January 31 2027 as a “contingency measure”, according to officials.
UK summer ticket scams could soar to £100m with proposed resale price caps, experts warn
Experts say scams could quadruple (Image: Getty)
Experts have warned that Brits could be swindled out of £100million in ticket scams this summer alone, if price caps are introduced on ticket resales. Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency revealed that ticket fraud across England and Wales cost £70million in 2024. This year, the figure could skyrocket to £280million, with anticipation building around Glastonbury, Wimbledon, and the eagerly awaited Oasis tour.
Over a third of scams, equating to £100million, are predicted to occur in the coming months if price caps are implemented. The data is courtesy of Bradshaw Advisory and independent research from anti-fraud organisation We Fight Fraud. They suggest that scams could quadruple if price caps are introduced. The experts warn that the UK Government’s proposal to cap resale prices could inadvertently aid scammers, making it easier for fraud to thrive as desperate fans resort to riskier methods to secure tickets.
Dave Eborne, head of fraud operations at Revolut, said: “We know that highly anticipated events, like concerts and sports matches, can become a target for unscrupulous criminals preying on enthusiastic fans.”
He says this is especially true with sought-after tickets,”fraudsters leverage both the fear of missing out on a unique opportunity and a sense of urgency due to scarcity and high demand.”
“The idea that a potential ticket could disappear quickly encourages people to act fast without thinking – but it’s vital that consumers look for tell-tale warning signs before handing over their hard-earned cash,” he added.
The study refers to data from Ireland and Victoria, Australia – two regions that have implemented caps and witnessed a significant rise in ticket fraud reports. “As We Fight Fraud’s research shows, banning or capping resale doesn’t stop these scams; it simply provides another platform for them to thrive, costing fans and the wider economy through increased fraud.”
Price caps could drive people to unregulated sites (Image: Getty)
The Bradshaw Advisory noted that in Ireland, where price caps are in place, 13.6% of fans reported being scammed – more than triple the UK’s rate of 3.8%. Moreover, there could be broader implications as, since October 2024, UK banks have been obligated to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, which encompasses most ticket scams.
Dr Nicola Harding, from We Fight Fraud, said: “Price caps don’t stop fraud – they multiply it and we could see live event fans defrauded to the tune of £100 million this summer.
“Smart, transparent regulation of the resale market, and robust consumer education on the warning signs of ticket scams, are the only real solutions to protect fans.”
TOP TIPS TO AVOID AND SPOT A TICKET SCAM
Do your homework:
Purchase tickets only through a legitimate and regulated platform. If you are unsure of a website’s legitimacy, you can check it by using Get Safe Online’s Check a Website tool.
Cover yourself:
Ensure platforms offer fan protection with a guarantee should anything go wrong.
Resist the hard sell and social media:
Getting in-demand tickets can feel like a race against time but don’t let individual sellers pressure you into a quick purchase. Avoid buying tickets on social media where many sellers are unverified, increasing the risk of scams or counterfeit tickets.
Verify the venue and date:
If the event is taking place at a venue unknown to you, then confirm its existence through online maps and look for independent reviews. Once you have done so, search the original live event announcement or schedule on the artist or team’s website to make sure dates and location align.
Price check reality:
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid suspiciously cheap tickets.
