Through its COVID-19 Taskforce, which monitors market developments and identifies the big problems facing consumers, the CMA has seen increasing numbers of complaints in relation to cancellations and refunds.

These now account for four out of five complaints being received into the taskforce and so far include concerns about businesses refusing refunds or firms pressuring people to accept vouchers for holiday accommodation, which can only be used during a more expensive period.

Based on the complaints received, the CMA has identified three sectors of particular concern:

• Weddings and private events
• Holiday accommodation
• Nurseries and childcare providers

The CMA has said it will tackle these areas as a priority and then move on to examine other sectors, based on the information received by the taskforce.

The watchdog has said that it acknowledges that most businesses are acting reasonably in what are unprecedented circumstances, and the current crisis is placing everyone under pressure, but consumer rights cannot be ignored.

The CMA has also said that individuals can also take their own legal action against unfair terms, should they choose to.

For most consumer contracts, the CMA would expect a full refund to be issued where:

• A business has cancelled a contract without providing any of the promised goods or services
• No service is provided by a business, for example, because this is prevented by the restrictions that apply during the current lockdown
• A consumer cancels or is prevented from receiving the service, for example due to the restrictions that apply during the current lockdown

It also advises that businesses should not be profiting by ‘double recovering’ their money from the government and customers.

Andrea Coscelli, CEO of the CMA, said: “Our COVID-19 taskforce is shining a light on some of the big issues facing consumers in wake of this pandemic. Alongside price-gouging reports, we’re now seeing cancellation issues in their thousands. So far, the CMA has identified weddings, holiday accommodation and childcare as particular areas of concern.

“The current situation is throwing up challenges for everyone, including businesses, but that does not mean that consumer rights can fall by the wayside. If we find evidence that businesses are failing to comply with consumer protection law then we will get tough – that means launching enforcement cases and moving to court action where there is a strong reason to do so.”

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.