Regulation news in 2026
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- 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.
Consultation launched on Leasehold Enfranchisement Valuation Rates
The government has opened a consultation on the valuation rates used to calculate lease extension and freehold purchase costs, with responses now due by 21 October 2026.
FCA regulation of most BNPL agreements begins
Most buy now pay later agreements taken out from 15 July 2026 are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, bringing affordability checks, Ombudsman escalation and section 75 protections.
Independent evaluation of the APP scams policies concludes
Frontier Economics has published its independent evaluation of the Payment Systems Regulator's APP scams policies, and the regulator has set out a timetable running to a formal consultation in December 2026.
Ofgem energy price cap changed in July 2026, raising gas and electricity prices
Ofgem's July 2026 energy price cap change raised gas and electricity prices, lifting the average direct debit dual fuel bill to an estimated £1,862 a year, £221 more than before.
Ofgem reduces TDCV levels again in July 2026
Ofgem cut the assumed typical household consumption used in its price cap publications from July 2026, lowering gas by 17% to 9,500 kWh and electricity by 7% to 2,500 kWh.
- 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.
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 ICOBS 5.3 guidance on advised insurance sales
The Financial Conduct Authority has added new handbook guidance on advised insurance sales, covering suitability across packaged policies and pure protection contracts, effective from 26 June 2026.
Guidance updated on information provided to repeat overdraft users in financial difficulty
The FCA has updated its guidance on how firms must inform repeat overdraft users showing signs of financial difficulty, covering their financial position, credit file reporting and available options.
Technical consultation on the draft ISA amending legislation opens
HMRC has opened a technical consultation on draft regulations that will cut the annual Cash ISA limit to £12,000 for under-65s from 6 April 2027, alongside new anti-circumvention rules.
Technical consultation opens on draft ISA Amendment Regulations 2026
HMRC has opened a technical consultation on draft regulations that would cut the annual Cash ISA subscription limit for under-65s to £12,000 from 6 April 2027, with the consultation running to 2 August 2026.
Supporting evidence threshold set to £155.00 per month for July to September 2026
The Accountant in Bankruptcy has set the supporting evidence threshold used in Scottish debt solutions at £155.00 per month for the period from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
Deadline for landlords to issue updated contract terms
Landlords in Wales had to give existing contract holders updated contract terms by 14 June 2026, under changes in force from 1 June 2026 aimed at stopping discrimination against tenants.
High Court appoints special administrators over EES
The High Court has appointed special administrators over Euro Exchange Securities UK Ltd after the FCA required the firm to stop carrying on regulated electronic money and payment services.
DWP opens consultation on amending pension transfer scam protections
The Department for Work and Pensions has opened a consultation on amending the 2021 pension transfer scam rules, proposing a new red flag for transfers into Small Self-Administered Schemes.
Government launches cohabitation law reform consultation
The government has opened a consultation on cohabitation law reform in England and Wales, seeking views on property, pension and inheritance rights for around 3.5 million unmarried couples.
BNPL to come within FCA regulation from summer 2026
Buy now, pay later will fall under Financial Conduct Authority regulation from summer 2026 under legislation already passed by the Government, with the FCA having consulted on draft rules for firms.
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.
Government publishes response to home buying and selling reform consultation
The government has published its response to the October 2025 home buying and selling reform consultation, committing to reforms and setting out a timetable running to the end of this Parliament.
MCOB 11 updated with Consumer Duty references and revised exceptions to affordability assessment
The FCA Handbook's responsible lending chapter was updated on 26 June 2026, adding Consumer Duty wording to its purpose and revising the exceptions to the mortgage affordability assessment rule.
- May 2026
Deadline for landlords to issue government factsheet and statements of terms for pre-existing tenancies
Landlords of private tenancies in England that began before 1 May 2026 must issue the government factsheet, or a written statement of terms for unwritten agreements, by 31 May 2026.
OPFS responds to new energy price cap announcement
One Parent Families Scotland has responded to the new energy price cap announced by Ofgem on 27 May 2026, setting out the money and debt support it offers to single parent families.
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 crackdown on finfluencers: conviction, warnings and account removals
The Financial Conduct Authority worked with 16 overseas regulators on a week of action against illegal financial promotions, identifying more than 1,200 suspect posts and securing one conviction.
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.
Regulations come into force and scheme period begins
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026, continuing the scheme in Scotland to 31st March 2031 with a £150 rebate for eligible households.
Rental bidding above advertised price banned in England
From 1 May 2026 landlords and letting agents in England cannot let a property above its advertised rent, and cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance.
Renters' Rights Act increases ground 8 arrears threshold
From 1 May 2026 private landlords in England need three months of unpaid rent before using ground 8 to evict, up from two months under the Renters' Rights Act.
Rules on 'no fault' evictions changed
The rules on "no fault" evictions changed on 1 May 2026, according to StepChange, which says tenants who receive an eviction notice should act quickly and not leave straight away.
- April 2026
FCA opens consultation on simplifying consumer credit financial promotions rules
The Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on simplifying consumer credit financial promotions rules and improving how the cost of credit is disclosed to consumers.
FCA publishes Research Note informing CONC 3 cost disclosure review
The FCA has published a research note on how consumers compare the cost of credit, findings from which it says informed its discussion paper on cost disclosure rules in CONC 3.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 signed and consented
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 were signed on 29 April 2026, continuing the Scottish scheme with a £150 rebate and a scheme period running to 31st March 2031.
90-day notice rule applies to accounts opened on or after 28 April 2026
Accounts opened on or after 28 April 2026 now carry a minimum 90 days' notice before a bank can terminate them, and the bank must give a clear reason for the closure.
Renters Right Act comes into force
The Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, abolishing section 21 no-fault evictions in England and replacing assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies.
Bank of England publishes 2026 Q1 Credit Conditions Survey
The Bank of England's 2026 Q1 Credit Conditions Survey reports that secured credit availability to households rose while unsecured availability was unchanged, and secured default rates increased slightly.
Fair4All Finance opens Small Sum Lending pilot bidding with up to £25m of funding
Fair4All Finance has opened bidding for its Small Sum Lending pilot, publishing an application pack for lenders and setting out plans to allocate up to £25m of funding.
Tenant Fees Act 2019 tenant guidance first published
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published GOV.UK guidance for tenants in England setting out the fees and payments landlords may charge under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
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.
Energy bills to be cut as government removes policy costs from electricity bills
The government has removed some policy costs from electricity bills from 1 April 2026, cutting unit rates and standing charges for households on variable and fixed tariffs in Great Britain.
FCA Targeted Support to roll out from April 2026
The Government is working with the Financial Conduct Authority to roll out Targeted Support for consumers from April 2026, allowing authorised firms to suggest products to groups of customers.
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates increase
The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 an hour on 1 April 2026, with the National Minimum Wage rates for younger workers and apprentices also increasing.
New payment account termination rules come into force
Rules taking effect on 28 April 2026 extend the notice payment firms must give before closing an account to 90 days for new contracts and require detailed reasons for the decision.
- March 2026
ECO funding to end from 31 March 2026
Government funding for the Energy Company Obligation ends on 31 March 2026 under Autumn Budget plans, with savings from scrapping ECO and shifting Renewables Obligation costs due to reach bills from April.
Treasury correspondence on proposed ISA changes published
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury wrote to the Chair of the Treasury Committee on 30 March 2026 about proposed changes to ISAs, with the correspondence published on 15 April 2026.
Chancellor meets lenders representing 75% of mortgage market and lenders reaffirm Mortgage Charter commitments
The Chancellor met lenders covering 75% of the mortgage market on 26 March 2026 to discuss rates and borrower support, after which lenders reaffirmed their Mortgage Charter commitments.
Current Warm Home Discount regulations end on 31 March 2026
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount end on 31 March 2026, and replacement rules for England and Wales have been made to run the scheme to 2031.
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.
GB consequential regulations made and laid
The Social Security (Removal of Two Child Limit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 were made and laid before Parliament on 19 March 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026.
BBC corrects misreported energy bills saving figure
BBC News has corrected a live blog post that overstated the saving from an upcoming energy price cap reduction, putting the figure at £170 when the Prime Minister said £117.
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.
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
Fair4All Finance launches credit union transformation programme for England
Fair4All Finance has opened a public consultation on a credit union transformation programme for England, backed by £30m of dormant assets funding and delivered with HM Treasury and ABCUL.
- January 2026
Government responds to Warm Home Discount consultation without increasing the £150 rebate
The Government has published its response to the Warm Home Discount consultation, extending the scheme to 2031 but leaving the £150 rebate unchanged and eligibility rules as they are.
Government announces ground rent cap and ban on new leasehold flats
The government has published a draft bill to cap ground rent at £250 a year, ban new leasehold flats and make commonhold easier, with the cap not expected before late 2028.
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.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem consultation on energy debt at change of tenancy
Consumer Scotland has published its response to an Ofgem consultation on energy debt at change of tenancy, tentatively supporting reform while warning about self-disconnection and pre-move liability risks.
Treasury Committee report warns current approach to AI in financial services risks serious harm
The Treasury Select Committee says the Bank of England, FCA and Treasury are exposing consumers and the financial system to potentially serious harm through their wait-and-see approach to AI.
Joint proposals published for pension value for money framework
The FCA, DWP and TPR have published joint proposals requiring pension schemes to publish performance, cost and service quality data under a colour rating, with comment open until 8 March.
Consumer Scotland opposes moving Warm Home Discount costs to the unit rate
Consumer Scotland has told the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that the cost of the Warm Home Discount should stay on the standing charge rather than move to the unit rate.
Government publishes draft leasehold reform legislation
Draft legislation published in January 2026 would cap ground rents at £250 a year, ban leaseholds for most new flats and create a commonhold conversion route, with law possible from 2027.