Chris Creature

Get ready! If you can’t watch this Panorama program, Why Are Vet Bills So High, on Monday 12th January 2026, at 8 pm on BBC 1, set your recorder. From what we have heard this is factual, hard hitting and definitely not ‘vet bashing’. BBC Panorama have investigated rising vet fees, finding they've increased by nearly 50% since 2020, with the program highlighting concerns about high costs for treatments, extensive tests, and lack of price transparency in the industry, showing examples from both large chains and independent vets, all impacting pet owners. Until a change in the law in 1999, only qualified veterinary surgeons could own vet clinics. This meant most practices were small businesses run by partners who knew their patients and played an important role in the community, just as in the cosy 1980s TV series All Creatures Great and Small. In the last few decades, though, big businesses have been buying up practices at a furious pace, drawn by their often healthy profit margins, which could be increased by consolidating services under a big corporate umbrella. Vets are also regarded as “recession-proof”, as Britons will cut back on just about everything else to prioritise their pets. The “Big Six" corporate groups dominating UK veterinary care are IVC Evidensia, CVS Group, Medivet, Pets at Home, Linnaeus, and VetPartners, together owning nearly 60% of practices, leading to scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over rising prices and market dominance, with concerns about private equity influence. The "Big Six" in Detail: IVC Evidensia: The largest group, backed by private equity and Nestlé, with over 1,000 practices and emergency services. CVS Group: Owns hundreds of practices, diagnostic labs, and crematoriums. Medivet: A large multinational group controlling hundreds of UK centres, including famous locations like Skeldale Veterinary Centre. Pets at Home: A major retailer also owning numerous vet practices, often through joint ventures. Linnaeus: Another significant corporate player in the market. VetPartners: One of the major consolidators, also facing regulatory attention. Why They're in the News: Market Consolidation: These six companies have acquired around 1,500 independent practices since 2013, fundamentally changing the UK landscape. Price Increases: Pet owners have seen significant price hikes, almost doubling inflation, prompting Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigations into potential lack of competition. Private Equity Influence: Several of these groups (like IVC and Medivet) are heavily backed by private equity firms, aiming for profits, which adds to industry concerns. The overall UK veterinary services market is estimated to be worth approximately £7.2 billion to £7.3 billion in 2025. While a precise market value for just the corporate-owned portion is not readily available, their ownership of the majority of practices means they account for a significant portion of the total market revenue. IVA one of the major care providers is already warning that the BBC risks sharing a “biased and inaccurate view” of the sector in a forthcoming broadcast: vettimes.com/news/business/p… There is a debate in the @WelshGovernment on Tuesday, 20th January 2026: Prompted by the tireless work of Welsh campaigner Dr Linda Joyce-Jones, who has already uncovered widespread problems: no price transparency, huge hikes in fees, overcharging for medicines and treatment, and little to no recourse when things go wrong. Linda’s UK petition link: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio… Facebook page: facebook.com/share/1XSZQauaR…