Regulation news: page 5
- October 2025
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.
Amendment inserts £39 million uplift to scheme year 15 spending obligation
The Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025, made on 17 September 2025, add £39 million to the Scotland scheme's final year spending obligation and extend the England and Wales rebate deadline.
Treasury answers parliamentary question on mis-sold car finance compensation
The Treasury told Parliament on 8 September 2025 that it is working with the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority on motor finance commission practices, after the Supreme Court clarified the law.
FCA consulted on draft rules for BNPL firms
The FCA has consulted on draft rules and guidance for buy now pay later firms, ahead of bringing deferred payment credit into its regulation from summer 2026.
Government announces consultation on homebuying reforms
The government has announced a consultation on homebuying reforms covering upfront property information, binding conditional contracts and regulation of estate, letting and managing agents.
- August 2025
Consumer Scotland responds to FCA consultation on targeted support for pensions and investment decisions
Consumer Scotland has published its response to the Financial Conduct Authority's consultation on targeted support, setting out evidence on the advice gap in pensions and investments.
Government publishes Low Pay Commission remit and updated National Living Wage estimates for April 2026
The Government has published the Low Pay Commission's remit for April 2026 minimum wage rates, alongside an updated central estimate that the National Living Wage would need to reach £12.71.
- July 2025
Affordability, explanation and switching policy rules revised
The Financial Conduct Authority has updated mortgage rulebook provisions on remortgaging without additional borrowing, covering the more affordable test, explanation and warning requirements, and internal switching policies.
FCA updated MCOB 4.8A execution-only sales rules
The FCA Handbook shows mortgage advising and selling rules in MCOB 4 carrying a 22 July 2025 date, including a new requirement for firms to identify execution-only customers who may need advice.
New rule on expired term customers took effect
A new Financial Conduct Authority rule took effect on 22 July 2025 requiring mortgage firms to deal fairly with customers whose mortgage term has expired with a balance still outstanding.
FCA publishes consultation paper CP25/23 on final rules for BNPL lenders
The FCA has published consultation paper CP25/23 setting out proposed rules for buy now pay later lenders, with regulation limited to third-party lender agreements and due to take effect on 15 July 2026.
ISA and CTF rule changes take effect for recognised funds, LTAFs and flexible ISAs
Rules covering Child Trust Funds, recognised funds, Long Term Asset Funds and flexible ISAs took effect on 15 July 2025, with separate National Insurance number requirements for ISA investors following in 2027.
2025 Order passed setting provisions for regulating BNPL products
The 2025 Order passed on 14 July 2025 sets provisions to bring interest-free buy now pay later products under Financial Conduct Authority regulation from 15 July 2026.
Bank of England introduces temporary exemption to the 15% loan-to-income limit
The Bank of England introduced a temporary exemption to its 15% cap on mortgages above 4.5 times income in July 2025, letting individual lenders exceed the limit if the market as a whole does not.
BNPL to come under FCA regulation
Buy Now Pay Later will come under Financial Conduct Authority regulation in July, the Centre for Responsible Credit has told the Treasury Committee, though it warns current affordability rules may not protect borrowers.
Energy price cap to rise by £221 (13%) from 1 July
The energy price cap rose by £221, or 13%, on 1 July, taking a typical household bill to £1,663 a year, with a further 4% rise confirmed for October.
Government consults on proposals to reform the FOS
The government has published its response to a consultation on reforming the Financial Ombudsman Service, confirming plans for a 10-year complaint time limit and a narrower fair and reasonable test.
PRA and FCA amend Loan-to-Income flow limit rule to apply industry-wide
The Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority have changed the loan-to-income flow limit so the 15% cap on mortgages above 4.5 times income applies across the industry rather than to each lender.
- June 2025
Government launches consultation on council tax billing and collection in England
The government has opened a 12 week consultation on how council tax is billed and collected in England, covering payment schedules, enforcement, band challenges and bill transparency.