Political Opinion: Clear prices and fair care in biggest vet reforms for 60 years
Britain is a nation of animal lovers. Around 60 per cent of UK households, around 17 million homes, have a pet. We spoil them, groom them, dress them up, and treat them as part of the family. But for too many people, that love has been exploited by a veterinary system that has been allowed to become opaque, stressful and eye-wateringly expensive.
I have heard from constituents who took a much-loved pet to the vet expecting reassurance and basic care, only to be handed bills running into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Often there is little explanation, no clear breakdown of costs, and no real sense of choice. When your animal is in pain, you do not feel able to shop around or negotiate. You say yes, because you feel you have no other option, and worry about the financial consequences later.
That is why the Government is now taking action, bringing forward the first major reforms to the veterinary sector in 60 years. These changes are designed to introduce clearer pricing, improve transparency, and give millions of pet owners a better understanding of what they are paying for to help them avoid unexpected costs and choose the best value care for their pets.
The reforms follow findings by the Competition and Markets Authority, which showed that veterinary fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation. Many pet owners are not told prices in advance and are often unaware of who owns their local practice.
Under the new proposals, vet practices will be required to publish clear price lists for common treatments and be upfront about options and likely costs.
Practices will also have to disclose who owns them, so people can see whether they are using an independent surgery or part of a larger corporate chain. Every practice will need an official operating licence, like GP surgeries and care homes, alongside clearer and fairer complaints processes.
The reforms will also support veterinary professionals. Around 60 per cent of vet practices are now owned by non-vets, often through complex and unclear ownership structures. A new licensing system will require businesses to meet clear standards, with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail. Veterinary nurses will receive long-overdue legal recognition. Regulation will apply to both individual vets and businesses, sharing responsibility more fairly. Outdated fitness-to-practise rules will be modernised, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons will be aligned with modern healthcare regulators.
A modern disciplinary framework, with a wider range of sanctions, will help address concerns proportionately, improve care, and reduce unnecessarily punitive outcomes, benefiting both pet owners and professionals.
Veterinary professionals play a vital role in maintaining the UK’s high standards of animal health and welfare. These reforms strengthen the profession, modernise outdated regulation, and help safeguard the UK against risks to animal health, disease control and food security.
With these once-in-a-generation reforms, Labour is working to ensure our veterinary system is transparent and fair for everyone.
The consultation runs until 25 March 2026 and can be found here: