Regulation news
569 stories on regulation, newest first. Every story is dated and cites its sources.
- November 2026
Chancellor announces plan to abolish gas standing charges
Chancellor John Healey has asked Ofgem to remove gas standing charges for around 23 million homes in 2027 or as soon as possible after, with fixed costs moved onto unit rates.
Guided Retirement consultation launched by DWP, FCA and TPR
The Department for Work and Pensions, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator have opened a consultation on Guided Retirement, which would require pension schemes to offer a default pension to savers approaching retirement.
SI laid on third-party data for interest income and card sales
HMRC laid regulations on 3 November 2026 covering third-party data on interest income and payment card transactions, with the policy due to come into force on 1 March 2028.
- October 2026
Chancellor announces abolition of standing charges on household gas bills
Chancellor John Healey has said he will ask Ofgem to remove standing charges from household gas bills, a fixed fee of £108 a year for the typical household, in 2027 or as soon as possible after.
Government announces removal of two-year rule on lump sum death benefits at Budget 26
The government will remove the two-year rule on tax-free pension and lump sum death benefits for payments made on or after 28 October 2026, through Finance Bill 2026-27.
Financial Services Regulation Committee publishes report on home and travel insurance regulation
The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee has published a report on how the Financial Conduct Authority regulates consumer home and travel insurance, calling for clearer timetables and better claims data.
New Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament
The Private Parking Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on 20 October 2026, introducing grace periods, appeal rights, a £20 cap on charges for minor mistakes and a £100 maximum charge.
ePayments Systems Limited enters special administration
ePayments Systems Limited entered special administration on 15 October 2026, with two insolvency practitioners appointed to return customer funds, and the FCA has confirmed that FSCS protection does not apply.
TUC report says UK households paid extra £13,961 on bills since 2021
The TUC says UK households have paid an average £13,961 more on mortgages, loans, energy and water since 2021, and is urging the chancellor to act in the 28 October budget.
PRA and FCA publish final policy removing the firm-level 15% high LTI cap
The PRA and FCA have published final policy removing the firm-level 15% cap on high loan-to-income mortgage lending while keeping the 15% aggregate limit, effective 28 October 2026.
Bank of England Credit Conditions Survey shows rising defaults on unsecured lending
The Bank of England's latest Credit Conditions Survey shows credit card defaults rose in the three months to August, with lenders expecting further increases by November.
JRF briefing projects worst parliament for living standards since 1961
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation projects that incomes after housing costs in 2029/30 will be £440 to £770 a year lower than in 2024/25, the weakest parliament for living standards since 1961.
- September 2026
Leasehold reform consultation closes
The government consultation on the charges used to calculate lease extension costs closes on 23 September 2026, with further legislation needed before new calculations take effect.
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
Ofgem price cap rise pushes energy prices to a three year high
Citizens Advice says the latest Ofgem price cap rise takes energy prices to a three year high, and calls for a reformed energy support scheme for those most in need.
Fair By Design responds to Ofgem consumer outcomes consultation on billing
Fair By Design has responded to Ofgem's consultation on consumer outcomes for billing, arguing that minimum standards for suppliers should sit alongside the regulator's planned outcomes-based approach.
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.
Consultation on ISA Amendment Regulations 2026 closes
A technical consultation on draft regulations to cut the Cash ISA subscription limit for under-65s to £12,000 from April 2027 closed at 11:59pm on 2 August 2026, with HMRC now analysing responses.
- July 2026
StepChange calls for stronger credit card consumer protections
StepChange Debt Charity has published a report on the credit card regulatory framework, calling for earlier lender intervention, stronger affordability checks and higher minimum repayments as polling shows 15% of UK adults struggle with repayments.
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.
Draft ISA amendment regulations published for consultation
Draft regulations published on 16 July 2026 would cap cash ISA subscriptions at £12,000 for under-65s from 6 April 2027 and tax interest on cash held inside stocks and shares and innovative finance ISAs.
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.
Buy now pay later agreements come into FOS scope
Buy now pay later agreements taken out on or after 15 July 2026 can now be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service, extending formal dispute resolution to a sector that previously sat outside it.
Government opens consultation on modernising payment services regulation
HM Treasury has opened a consultation on modernising payment services regulation, seeking views on how the framework should adapt to tokenised payments, Open Banking and agentic payments.
TPR publishes new five-year Corporate Strategy, Corporate Plan and Regulatory Roadmap
The Pensions Regulator has published a five-year Corporate Strategy, a Corporate Plan for 2026-27 and a Regulatory Roadmap setting out when reform consultations, regulation and guidance will reach the workplace pensions industry.
FCA publishes Mills Review on AI in retail financial services
The Financial Conduct Authority has published the Mills Review, setting out how artificial intelligence could reshape UK retail financial services and regulation by 2030.
Bank of England publishes 2026 Q2 Credit Conditions Survey
The Bank of England's 2026 Q2 Credit Conditions Survey, published on 2 July 2026, shows household secured credit availability unchanged while unsecured availability rose and unsecured default rates increased.
BNPL regulation due to come into effect
Buy now pay later regulation is due to take effect in July 2026, bringing Section 75 protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman for shoppers using deferred payment credit.
BNPL regulation rules come into force
Rules regulating buy-now-pay-later credit came into force in July 2026, after Parliament approved plans to bring the sector under regulation in July 2025.