Consumer Protection news in 2026
23 stories, newest first.
- September 2026
Consumer Scotland responds to UK Government consultation on home upgrade scheme consumer protection
Consumer Scotland has published its response to a UK Government consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, part of work to support delivery of the Warm Homes Plan.
- August 2026
Financial Ombudsman outlines next phase of service reforms
The Financial Ombudsman Service has confirmed new powers to dismiss complaints from 1 October 2026, a registration stage for next year and joint thematic reviews with the FCA.
- July 2026
CMA publishes final updated unfair contract terms guidance (CMA37) after consultation
The Competition and Markets Authority has published the outcome of its consultation on revised unfair contract terms guidance, with the final version replacing the existing CMA37 document.
CMA writes to private parking operators over appeals and extra charges
The Competition and Markets Authority has written to private parking operators about appeals and extra charges, opened an investigation into Euro Car Parks and sent recommendations to government.
BNPL users can bring complaints to the Financial Ombudsman from 15 July 2026
From 15 July 2026 buy now pay later agreements taken out on or after that date fall under FCA rules, and consumers can bring eligible complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Upper Tribunal suspends parts of motor finance compensation scheme
The Upper Tribunal has suspended parts of the FCA's motor finance redress scheme, so lenders need not calculate or pay compensation until the legal process concludes, though other rules still apply.
- June 2026
Compensation scheme starts for loans taken out after 1 April 2014
The FCA's motor finance compensation scheme opens on 30 June 2026 for loans taken out from 1 April 2014, with 12.1 million agreements eligible and average payouts of around £830.
New research quantifies poverty premium at up to £736 a year for low-income households
Fair By Design and the University of Bristol find 95% of low-income households in Britain pay an average £380 a year more for essentials, with the highest premiums reaching £736.
Consumer Duty examples added to CONC 2.2.2 guidance
The FCA has added guidance to its consumer credit rules listing behaviour likely to breach Principle 6 and the Consumer Duty, including repossession of a customer's home other than as a last resort.
FCA updates BCOBS 5 on set-off, Consumer Duty and financial difficulty
The FCA has updated BCOBS 5, its post-sale banking rules, with guidance on payment instruction ordering, set-off and subsistence balances, and customers in financial difficulty, effective 26/06/2026.
FSCS raises deposit compensation limit to £120,000
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme raised its deposit protection limit from £85,000 to £120,000 per eligible person per firm on 1 December 2025, after the PRA confirmed final rules in November 2025.
- May 2026
Consumer Scotland responds to FCA and Financial Ombudsman consultation on modernising the redress framework
Consumer Scotland has responded to the FCA and Financial Ombudsman Service consultation on modernising the redress framework, backing a light touch registration stage but warning that many specific dismissal rules could make the service inflexible.
Government publishes FOS review consultation outcome with package of proposed reforms
The government has published the outcome of its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service, proposing a 10-year complaint time limit, an adapted Fair and Reasonable test and new FCA referral duties.
Financial Services and Markets Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026
The Financial Ombudsman Service has confirmed changes to how it handles complaints, with formal rule changes taking effect from 1 October 2026 and pilots on fraud and scams casework starting the same month.
FCA confirms it will defend compensation scheme against legal challenge
The FCA has confirmed its motor finance compensation scheme has been legally challenged and says it will defend the scheme as lawful, with parts of it suspended by the Upper Tribunal.
Government publishes FOS consultation response and final reform plans
The government has confirmed final plans to reform the Financial Ombudsman Service, including a 10-year complaint time limit and a narrower Fair and Reasonable test, and will not make it an FCA subsidiary.
- April 2026
COBS 15 cancellation rules updated
The FCA updated the COBS 15 Cancellation chapter of its Handbook on 6 April 2026, including the table of cancellable contracts, cancellation periods, disclosure duties and exemptions.
- March 2026
FCA finalises revised motor finance compensation scheme
The FCA has finalised its motor finance compensation scheme, covering 12.1 million agreements made between 2007 and 2024, with an average payout of around £830 per agreement.
New measures to modernise and transform the UK redress system
The Financial Ombudsman Service and the FCA have announced new measures to modernise the UK redress system, saying consumers should get fair and quick compensation when things go wrong.
IT glitch exposed other customers' transaction data at Lloyds Banking Group
Up to 447,936 Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers saw other people's transactions or had their data shared during an IT glitch on 12 March, the Treasury Committee has said.
Government publishes reforms following its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service in March 2026
The government has published reforms following its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service, with some measures carried in the Financial Services and Markets Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026.
- February 2026
Financial Ombudsman Service warns people to be on high alert for online investment and employment scams
The Financial Ombudsman Service received 31,300 fraud and scam complaints in 2025 and has urged the public to stay alert to online investment and employment scams.
- January 2026
CMA opens consultation on draft revised unfair contract terms guidance
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened a consultation on draft revised guidance and a technical note covering the unfair contract terms provisions in the Consumer Rights Act 2015.