Regulation news: page 4
- December 2025
FCA confirms complaints pause will end on 31 May 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed that the pause on firms handling motor finance commission complaints will end on 31 May 2026, with lenders then required to respond to complaints.
Business and personal Standards of Lending Practice ended in 2025
The Lending Standards Board's business and personal Standards of Lending Practice both ended in 2025 as the body wound down, after the CRM Code closed in 2024 and the Access to Banking Standard in 2021.
Consumer credit borrowing slowed in December 2025
Bank of England figures show net consumer credit borrowing fell to £1.5 billion in December from £2.1 billion in November, with credit card borrowing down to £0.7 billion.
FCA aims to finalise new advice rules by end of 2025
The Financial Conduct Authority says it aims to finalise rules on targeted support and simplified advice by the end of 2025, with targeted support scheduled to launch in March 2026.
Public consultation on DWP Code of Practice opens
A public consultation on the Department for Work and Pensions Code of Practice for new benefit eligibility verification powers opened in December and runs until 27 February 2026.
- November 2025
DISP 2.7.7 guidance updated on APP fraud and pension beneficiary complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority has updated handbook guidance to confirm that Financial Ombudsman Service complaints can cover a firm's failure to prevent or respond to alleged authorised push payment fraud.
Government accepts LPC minimum wage recommendations at Autumn Budget
The Government accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommended minimum wage rates at the Autumn Budget on 26 November, raising the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over to £12.71 an hour from April 2026.
Government announces minimum wage rates for April 2026
The Government has accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations in full, raising the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over to £12.71 an hour from April 2026.
Up-rating decisions announced to Parliament
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 raises the basic and new State Pensions by 4.8% and most working-age and disability benefits by 3.8% from April 2026, at a total cost of £11 billion.
Fair4All Finance responds to three consultations on FOS reform and redress modernisation
Fair4All Finance has published responses to three consultations on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service and modernising the UK redress system, backing closer FCA alignment and changes to case fees.
UK Government publishes Financial Inclusion Strategy
The Treasury published its Financial Inclusion Strategy on 5 November 2025, covering access to affordable financial products and compulsory financial education in primary schools in England.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem consultation on lower standing charge tariffs
Consumer Scotland has backed a temporary Ofgem requirement for suppliers to offer a lower standing charge tariff, urging a two year review and warning that costs could be redistributed between consumers.
£130 energy bill discount announced from next year
The Chancellor has announced a £130 discount on energy bills from next year, funded for three years, with £55 set to be added back onto electricity bills in 2029-30.
Chancellor announces freeze of student loan repayment threshold at 2025 Budget
The Chancellor announced at the 2025 Budget that the student loan repayment threshold of £28,470 will be frozen for three years from April 2027, with a Treasury Committee inquiry into graduate taxation following in March 2026.
Ofgem publishes statutory consultation on a Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem has published a statutory consultation on a Debt Relief Scheme, setting out proposals for targeted relief for households in the most acute energy debt.
PRA confirms final rules on deposit compensation limit increase
The Prudential Regulation Authority confirmed final rules in November 2025 raising the FSCS deposit compensation limit to £120,000, effective for firm failures from 1 December 2025.
- October 2025
Low Pay Commission submits 2026 minimum wage recommendations
The Low Pay Commission submitted its recommended minimum wage rates for April 2026 to the Government on 27 October 2025, proposing a National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 receives Royal Assent
The Renters' Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, changing the law on rented homes in England, with most provisions due to take effect from 1 May 2026.
BSA publishes Budget submission warning against Cash ISA limit cuts
The Building Societies Association has told the Treasury that cutting the annual Cash ISA limit would penalise savers and could reduce mortgage lending and economic output.
Consultation on the review of the Financial Ombudsman Service closes
The government's consultation on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service, including a proposed 10-year absolute time limit for complaints, closed on 8 October 2025.
Consumer Scotland responds to HM Treasury consultation on the review of the Financial Ombudsman Service
Consumer Scotland has told HM Treasury it opposes a 10 year absolute time limit for Financial Ombudsman Service complaints, a merger of the ombudsman with the FCA, and new FCA referrals.
FCA launches consultation on proposed car finance redress scheme
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on an industry-wide compensation scheme for motor finance customers overcharged on car finance deals taken out between April 2007 and November 2024.
Government consults on homebuying and selling reform
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has opened a consultation on reforming home buying and selling in the UK, covering upfront information, binding contracts and estate agent regulation.
Consumer credit borrowing decreases for second consecutive month
Bank of England data show net consumer credit borrowing fell to £1.1 billion in October, a second monthly decline, while mortgage approvals for house purchase also edged lower.
Energy price cap to rise 2% to £1,755 for Q4 2025
The Ofgem energy price cap for a typical household rises 2% to £1,755 a year for the final quarter of 2025, taking effect on 1 October.
Gingerbread delivers open letter on CMS to the Minister
Gingerbread has delivered an open letter signed by more than 1,600 supporters to Baroness Sherlock, the minister responsible for the Child Maintenance Service, setting out five principles for its consolidation.
PSR decides not to proceed with interim cap on cross-border interchange fees
The Payment Systems Regulator has dropped plans for a short-term cap on UK to EEA cross-border interchange fees, citing litigation over its powers, and will work on a longer-term cap instead.
Public Services Committee publishes Reforming the Child Maintenance Service report
The House of Lords Public Services Committee has published a report on reforming the Child Maintenance Service, calling for changes to calculations, enforcement and communication after an inquiry.
- September 2025
Consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme opens
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will continue for a new five-year period from winter 2026/27 to 2030/31, after a consultation that ran from 25 September to 20 November 2025 and drew 93 responses.
Warm Home Discount Regulations amended by S.I. 2025/1031
The Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amended the England and Wales scheme rules on 18 September 2025, changing which supplier duties and Secretary of State powers continue after the scheme period ends.