EMERGENCY laws are needed to crack down on unscrupulous businesses “price-gouging” — attempting to profit from the coronavirus crisis — watchdog officials advised the government yesterday.

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) said it received nearly 21,000 complaints from the public between March 10 and April 19 over businesses trying to exploit shoppers.

People have reported some shops inflating prices, with certain pharmacies charging over the odds for hand sanitiser and toilet paper, and Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct staff were ordered to increase prices on home-fitness equipment the day after the government announced the lockdown in March.

Small businesses have also accused their suppliers of dramatically increasing product prices.

The CMA also received complaints from people who were struggling to get refunds from travel companies.

The watchdog has advised the government to introduce “emergency time-limited legislation,” according to the Financial Times.

CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said he had spoken to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Mr Coscelli said: “Consumer and competition law are not really designed for emergencies.

“Part of our role is to use everything we have but, if there are gaps, to explain to the government what those gaps are. Ultimately though it’s for the government and Parliament to decide.”

A BEIS spokesman did not rule out a legislation change. He said: “We are facing a health emergency, and nobody should be seeking to exploit that for financial gain.

“The vast majority of businesses are acting responsibly during the national effort to tackle Covid-19, and reports of profiteering to the Competition & Markets Authority have fallen.

“The CMA deals directly with firms to address any complaints and we continue to keep the issue under review.”

Which? magazine head of consumer protection Sue Davies said that the practice of retailers inflating their prices is “unacceptable” and that Britain is “lagging behind” other countries on being able to take action on price-gouging.

She said: “The government, working with the CMA, needs to step in with emergency legislation to help crack down on price-gouging, whether online or on the high street, and keep the price of essential items reasonable during crises both now and in the future.”