100 signatures reached
To: Boris Johnson and the UK Government
Ask the government to criminalise profiteering so people cannot be exploited
Ask the government to criminalise profiteering so people cannot be exploited
The government should criminalise the act of profiteering during this time of crisis. It is fundamentally wrong to profit from people's fears and needs at a time like this. People are so desperate they will pay any amount of money to get what they need.
People are buying up stocks of essential items like baby formula, toilet rolls, paracetemol, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial hand wash and wipes. They then charge criminally high prices for them in an effort to exploit people's needs and fears. I have seen a pack of 24 toilet rolls for sale at £690.00 plus £9.99 p&p, a can of baby formula for £84.95 plus £3.50 p&p. Chemists are selling a 16 tablet box of paracetemol for £19.95 when at Wilko's it would be 59 pence.
The government should criminalise the act of profiteering during this time of crisis. It is fundamentally wrong to profit from people's fears and needs at a time like this. People are so desperate they will pay any amount of money to get what they need.
People are buying up stocks of essential items like baby formula, toilet rolls, paracetemol, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial hand wash and wipes. They then charge criminally high prices for them in an effort to exploit people's needs and fears. I have seen a pack of 24 toilet rolls for sale at £690.00 plus £9.99 p&p, a can of baby formula for £84.95 plus £3.50 p&p. Chemists are selling a 16 tablet box of paracetemol for £19.95 when at Wilko's it would be 59 pence.
Why is this important?
There are people buying essential products in bulk and then advertising them for sale on social media platforms, websites and other places. The prices they are charging are far in excess of what is normally charged for them. It is not only individuals that are doing this but pharmacies, small and large businesses. This is heinous in a time of crisis and should be stopped now.