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Mortgage lenders will gain flexibility over high-income-multiple home lending decisions. New PRA and FCA rules remove the 15% restriction at individual lender level while retaining a market-wide safeguard and existing affordability requirements.
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Three companies face multimillion-pound penalties for misleading online selling practices. The CMA has fined Wayfair, Appliances Direct and Gold’s Gym more than £6m combined and ordered customer refunds relating to unwanted extras and unclear charges.
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Retailers are urging government to reduce costs of youth employment. Industry representatives want changes to employer National Insurance thresholds, although existing exemptions for under-21s complicate the relationship between tax relief and youth recruitment.
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Government seeks views on extending housing hazard deadlines to landlords. The consultation considers how Awaab’s Law should apply to private rented homes and certain licensed accommodation, with final obligations and implementation dates still to be determined.
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Britain has expanded Russia sanctions covering oil and financial networks. Official notices list 26 designations and 12 ship specifications, alongside separate administrative changes and compliance requirements.
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Brink’s has proposed disposals to address UK cash machine concerns. The CMA may accept the undertakings, potentially avoiding an in-depth investigation of the NCR Atleos acquisition.
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The FCA proposes longer withdrawal notice periods for illiquid funds. Its consultation would introduce a minimum 90-day notice for certain retail investment products, affecting managers, advisers and investors.
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The CMA has formally launched its Healthcare Ireland merger inquiry. Its Phase 1 review of the completed Hutchinson Homes acquisition now carries a statutory decision deadline of 3 December.
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The PRA wants regulatory thresholds to increase automatically with growth. Its proposal covers 128 banking, insurance and credit union measures and would introduce five-year adjustments linked to nominal GDP.
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Ireland’s Budget 2027 combines tax reform with business investment measures. Changes cover R&D incentives, Capital Gains Tax, AI skills, reporting requirements and infrastructure spending.