Regulation news: page 2
- July 2026
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.