Financial Regulations

UK Regulators to Oversee AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft and Oracle

The Bank of England, PRA and FCA start jointly overseeing four cloud and tech providers, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Ireland and Oracle, from 13 July 2026, after Treasury designated them as critical to UK financial stability. What this means and why it matters beyond the firms involved.

10 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Insolvency Service Review Confirms DRO Reforms Widened Debt Relief

A government review confirms recent changes to Debt Relief Order rules worked: more people got help, without the feared downsides. Here's what changed, who benefits, and what the evidence actually shows.

10 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Council Tax Rates 2026-27: Average Band D, All Bands A-H and Area Comparisons

Average Band D council tax in England for 2026-27 is £2,392 -- up £111 (4.9%). London averages £2,068; shire areas £2,452. Cheapest: Wandsworth £1,028. Most expensive: Dorset £2,765. Full band A-H table and discount guide. Source: MHCLG, March 2026.

24 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

UK House Prices by Region 2026: Land Registry Data and Trends

Average UK house price £270,080 in April 2026, up 3.8% year-on-year. North East grew fastest at +9.9%. London fell 2.1%. London average £542,000 vs North East £162,000. Source: HM Land Registry / ONS UK HPI, June 2026.

25 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

FCA and FOS Complaints Data UK 2025: Most Complained About Banks and Products

1.74 million complaints received by financial services firms in H2 2025. Banking and credit cards top the list. 305,000+ FOS complaints in 2024/25 -- highest since PPI era. Motor finance commission is the fastest-growing complaint category. Source: FCA, April 2026.

25 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Ofgem Energy Price Cap History: Every Quarterly Level Since 2019

Complete Ofgem energy price cap history from Q1 2019 to Q3 2026. Current cap: £1,641 (Q2 2026). Rising to £1,862 in July 2026 (+13%). Every quarterly level explained, including the Energy Price Guarantee period. Source: Ofgem.

24 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

UK Company Insolvency Statistics 2026: CVLs, Administrations and Sector Data

1,868 company insolvencies in England and Wales in May 2026 -- 16% lower than May 2025. CVLs account for 72% of all cases. Construction remains the most affected sector with 3,931 insolvencies in the past 12 months. Source: Insolvency Service / Companies House, June 2026.

25 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

UK Mortgage Rates and Household Debt Statistics 2026

Average two-year fixed mortgage rate 4.81% in May 2026. SVR 6.60%. Household debt at 117.5% of disposable income. Individual insolvencies up 20.4% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Sources: Bank of England, Insolvency Service, House of Commons Library.

25 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

UK Insolvency Statistics 2026: IVA, DRO and Bankruptcy Data

12,252 individual insolvencies in England and Wales in March 2026 -- 30% higher than March 2025. DROs hit a record high. One in 379 adults entered insolvency in the 12 months to March 2026. Source: Insolvency Service, April 2026.

25 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Export Health Certificate Vets UK: APHA-Registered OV Directory by Region

Find APHA-registered Official Veterinarians for export health certificates across England. Pets, livestock, food products, equines. All 10 regions. Source: APHA GOV.UK.

24 Jun 2026 · 18 min read

Pension Scam Protection 2026: New DWP Rules and How to Spot a Pension Fraud

DWP announced strengthened pension scam protections on 9 June 2026 under the Pension Schemes Act 2026. Trustees can now refuse suspicious transfers. Eight scam warning signs every pension saver should know.

24 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Warm Homes Plan 2026: Free Insulation, Heat Pump Grants and Solar Loans - What You Can Claim

The government's £15bn Warm Homes Plan has several schemes open now. ECO4 free upgrades run until December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme £7,500 heat pump grant is open to all homeowners. Full guide.

24 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Consumer Credit Act Reform 2026: What the Overhaul Means for Credit Cards, Loans and Borrowers

The 50-year-old Consumer Credit Act 1974 is being replaced under the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2026. Section 75 stays. Unenforceability sanctions go. What changes and when for borrowers.

24 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Money Laundering Regulations 2017: What UK Businesses Must Do

MLR 2017 requires AML systems, Customer Due Diligence, MLRO and SAR reporting. FCA supervises financial services. Major fines and compliance obligations explained.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Consumer Duty and Renewal Pricing: How Dual FCA Rules Protect You

Two FCA rules protect against renewal overcharging: ICOBS 6B and Consumer Duty Outcome 2. How they work together and how to challenge your renewal with the FOS.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Bank Account Closure: Your Rights Under UK Regulations Explained

Banks must give 2 months notice before closing your account. Consumer Duty requires reasons. Basic bank account right and CASS 7-day switch guarantee explained.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Bank Fraud Liability: Your Rights Under Payment Services Regulations

Banks must refund unauthorised fraud in 1 business day. APP fraud reimbursement up to PS415,000 mandatory from October 2024. Gross negligence rules and FOS rights.

14 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Payday Loan Rights: FCA Price Cap and CONC Rules Explained

FCA caps payday loans at 0.8% per day, PS15 default fee and 100% total cost. Rollover limits, affordability check rights and how to claim refunds on unaffordable loans.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Debt Collection Rights Under FCA CONC 7: What Collectors Can and Cannot Do

CONC 7 prohibits aggressive debt collection. Verification within 12 days, statute-barred after 6 years, unreasonable contact rules and FOS complaint rights.

14 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Credit Card Rights Under FCA CONC Rules: Section 75, Persistent Debt and More

FCA CONC rules for credit cards: Section 75 joint liability, persistent debt rules after 18 months and financial difficulty rights. Plain English explanation.

14 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

FCA Warning List: How to Check for Unauthorised Firms and Scams

FCA warning list guide: check fca.org.uk/consumers/warning-list, spot clone fraud, verify on Register and report to Action Fraud. Plain English guide. June 2026.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Final Response Letter: What It Is and Why the Date Matters for FOS Complaints

Final Response Letter (DISP 1.6): must be issued within 8 weeks and triggers the 6-month FOS deadline. What it must contain and what to do when you receive one.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

FOS Provisional Decision: What It Is and How to Respond

The FOS provisional decision is preliminary before the binding final. How to respond within 28 days, submit new evidence and challenge errors before the final decision.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Consumer Duty and Bank Accounts: What Your Bank Must Do Under FCA Rules

FCA Consumer Duty applies to all bank accounts. Fair value on overdraft rates and packaged accounts, and how to challenge under PRIN 12 and the FOS. June 2026.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Mortgage Early Repayment Charges: FCA Rules and Your Rights Explained

Mortgage ERCs are 1-5% of your balance. MCOB 5 requires disclosure in your ESIS. How ERCs work, annual overpayment allowances and FOS challenge rights explained.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Mortgage Prisoners: FCA MCOB 11.9 Rules and Your Rights Explained

Mortgage prisoners cannot remortgage despite paying on time. FCA MCOB 11.9 modified rules June 2022 -- eligibility, participating lenders and where to get support.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

MCOB 5: What Must a Mortgage Illustration (ESIS) Contain?

MCOB 5 requires a personalised mortgage illustration in ESIS format before you are bound. What it must contain and how to use APR to compare lenders.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

ICOBS 7.2: Can Your Home Insurer Cancel Your Policy Mid-Term?

Under ICOBS 7.2 insurers can only cancel mid-term with valid grounds and adequate notice. FCA rules on cancellation rights and how to challenge through the FOS.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

ICOBS 2.5: The Customer Best Interests Rule in Home Insurance Explained

ICOBS 2.5 requires insurers and brokers to act in your best interests. Consumer Duty supplements it. FCA rule explained with complaint rights and FOS escalation guide.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

ICOBS 4: What Must Your Home Insurer Tell You Before You Buy?

ICOBS 4 requires insurers to give you an IPID before purchase. What it must contain and your rights if it is not provided. Plain English FCA rule explanation.

14 Jun 2026 · 3 min read