Rule · FCA · 20 Jul 2020
The Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Bank of England revise their joint Complaints Scheme to improve accessibility and clarify procedures for handling complaints against the Regulators. The revised Scheme removes the proposed £10,000 cap on compensatory payments for financial loss while maintaining conditions that the Regulator be the sole or primary cause of loss and that a clear and significant failure occurred. It introduces updated payment levels for non-financial loss, mandates a biennial review of these levels, and aligns the appointment and reporting requirements of the Complaints Commissioner with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. These changes take effect on 1 November 2023 for complaints made on or after that date.
Policy Statement
PS23/12
PS10/23
Complaints against the Regulators
(The Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Bank of England) July 2023
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This relates to
Consultation Paper FCA- CP20/11 and PRA CP8/20 which is available on our websites at www.fca.org.uk/ publications and www.bankofengland. co.uk/news/publications Email:
cp20-11@fca.org.uk
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Chapter 1
Summary
1.1 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA),
and the Bank of England (the Bank) (the Regulators) have a joint Complaints Scheme (the Scheme) under the Financial Services Act 2012 (FS Act). The Scheme covers the complaints procedures of the Regulators, and also describes the role of the independent Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner (the Complaints Commissioner). This is a Scheme for handling complaints against the Regulators, rather than complaints against the firms that we regulate.1 A Scheme for investigating complaints about the Regulators was first established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and has been in place since September 2001. The current Scheme dates in substance from 2013 (revised in 2016).
1.2 Complaints are a valuable source of feedback that help the Regulators improve and
learn. The Regulators take all complaints about them seriously and welcome the transparency and accountability the Scheme provides.
1.3 We launched the consultation (CP) in July 2020 with the aim of proposing a
revised Scheme that was more user-friendly, using plain language to make it more understandable. We sought to improve the transparency of the Regulators’ approach to what we described as ‘ex-gratia’ compensatory payments, to help complainants understand what they can and cannot expect from the Scheme. This was in part a response to recommendations made by the former Complaints Commissioner to consult on improving the Scheme and, in particular, to clarify the Regulators’ approach to compensatory payments.
1.4 This is a joint Policy Statement (PS) by the FCA, the PRA and the Bank. It sets out our
response to the feedback we received to the CP and details the final changes to the Scheme we are introducing.
1.5 The statutory framework for the Scheme is set out in Part 6 of the FS Act, which
requires us to maintain a Scheme for the investigation of complaints arising in connection with the exercise of, or failure to exercise, any of our ‘relevant functions’ as defined in section 85 of the FS Act. For the FCA and PRA, broadly speaking, relevant functions include our authorisation, supervision and enforcement functions and our operation of the Scheme and, in the case of the FCA only, maintaining the Financial Services Register. For the Bank, the complaint must relate to relevant functions in relation to recognised clearing houses, central securities depositaries, inter-bank payment systems or wholesale cash distribution. Complaints about the exercise of the Regulators’ legislative functions, such as rule-making, the issuing of guidance/ statements and the processes for these, cannot be investigated under the Scheme as they are excluded from investigation by the FS Act. So far as reasonably practicable, the Scheme must be designed to investigate complaints quickly. 1 The use of ‘we’, ‘our’ or ‘us’ in this document is a reference to the relevant Regulator or the Regulators collectively, but not the Complaints Commissioner.
Who this affects
1.6 This PS will affect anyone who is a potential complainant under the Scheme i.e.
someone who makes a complaint on or after the new Scheme comes into effect on 1 November 2023. This includes regulated businesses and consumers of financial services. Complaints made before 1 November 2023 will be considered in line with the current Scheme.
1.7 It may also interest consumer advocates and action groups, trade associations, and
parliamentarians, among others.
The background to this Policy Statement
1.8 The CP originally asked for responses by Monday 14 September 2020. Following initial
feedback and correspondence between the Treasury Select Committee and the Regulators, the closing date for responses was extended until Monday 12 October 2020.
1.9 Some respondents were concerned about the timings of the amendments to the
Scheme. So we announced that we had delayed publishing our PS to allow time for 3 Independent Reviews to be published and for any associated complaints to be lodged for consideration under the current Scheme. These reviews were:
The wider context of this Policy Statement regarding compensatory payments
1.11 The FCA and PRA, in discharging their functions, and the Bank, in its capacity as
a monetary authority, are exempt from liability to pay damages under legislation (except where the relevant regulator has acted in bad faith or in contravention of the Human Rights Act 1998). The purpose of this exemption is so that we can carry out our regulatory functions robustly and effectively, and without distraction from the administrative and financial consequences that might arise from damages claims, which might otherwise influence how we pursue our objectives.
1.12 The Scheme acts as a counterbalance to this statutory immunity but is not intended to
undermine it. When FSMA was being discussed in Parliament in 20002 , the Economic Secretary to the Treasury explained ‘It is important that the complaints scheme is not seen as a means of circumventing the FSA’s statutory immunity. We do not want to encourage people to take pot shots at the FSA and distract it from its proper business of regulating’.
1.13 Therefore, where a financial remedy is sought by a complainant, the threshold for
achieving a compensatory payment is necessarily high (particularly concerning compensation for financial loss). We must also be mindful that the cost of the Scheme is borne by the firms that fund the Regulators and, indirectly through them, consumers.
1.14 As stated above, despite the Regulators’ statutory immunity, the FS Act does envisage
that compensatory payments by the Regulators will be an appropriate outcome for complainants in some circumstances. So we have set out what we consider is an appropriate balance in determining when we should make compensatory payments. However, it is important to confirm that by doing so we are not limiting the Complaints Commissioner’s ability to make recommendations to the Regulators.
1.15 The Scheme should be viewed in the broader context. The Scheme can only consider
complaints about the actions of the Regulators and not complaints about regulated firms. There are separate processes for dealing with complaints about firms. We require the firms we regulate to have in place processes for resolving disputes with their customers. The Financial Ombudsman Service can also consider complaints against firms and, where appropriate, tell firms to pay compensation to eligible complainants. Additionally, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) can consider claims for compensation in respect of firms where certain eligibility conditions are met. Broadly speaking, the Financial Ombudsman Service deals with complaints about regulated firms from consumers, micro-enterprises, small businesses, and some charities and trusts. The FSCS covers claims from consumers and some eligible small businesses, limited companies, and charities in connection with most regulated activities by regulated firms which have gone out of business. 2 HC Deb. vol 343 col 618 (27 January 2020) Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo000127/debtext/00127-18.htm
1.16 As stated by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in the Parliamentary debates3
on FSMA, ’the post [of the Complaints Commissioner] is not being established for the purpose of financial redress; the point is for the focus to be on the process, and on the importance of transparency’.
1.17 Following the enactment of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, the FS Act
has been amended to provide that the Treasury appoint an independent person to be responsible for the conduct of investigations in line with the Scheme. The FS Act also provides that:
financial loss would not exceed £10,000 save in exceptional circumstances. However, in practice we would still expect payments to be modest.
1.21 For financial loss compensatory payments, we are maintaining the two conditions set
out in the CP. These are that the Regulator is the sole or primary cause of loss and there has been a clear and significant failure by the Regulators. We are amending the order in which they are listed in the Scheme.
1.22 For non-financial loss compensatory payments, we have expanded our explanation of
how payments will be determined by describing what would fall within each payment level. We have also amended the levels to better reflect the range of payments the Regulators could make under the Scheme. This has resulted in the levels widening, and the upper level increasing.
1.23 We are making a commitment to review the appropriateness of the payment levels for
non-financial loss every 2 years.
1.24 We have clarified the timescales as to when a complainant can expect a response on
their complaint by updating the language and flow diagrams in the Scheme document.
1.25 We have expanded the factors the Regulators are required to take into account when we
consider an appropriate outcome for a complaint. These are now set out in paragraph
6.3 of the revised Scheme and are based on paragraph 7.14 in the current Scheme.
1.26 We have amended Annex D of the Scheme (Annex C of the Scheme as consulted on)
relating to the appointment and role of the Complaints Commissioner and included the additional requirements in relation to the Complaints Commissioner’s annual report. This takes into account the provisions in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. The appointment of the Complaints Commissioner is now the responsibility of the Treasury, and where we do not follow any recommendations by the Complaints Commissioner we need to include a summary of the reasons why in our response to the annual report.
1.27 We have confirmed at paragraph 3.5 of the revised Scheme our approach to fees
relating to the instruction of a complaint handling or professional services firm (consulted on in Annex A of the CP).
1.28 Overall, we consider that these changes will help to set realistic expectations among
potential and actual complainants and respond to the feedback we received. Outcome we are seeking
1.29 We expect the revised Scheme will ensure that anyone who is a potential or actual
complainant under the Scheme is more easily able to understand how the Scheme works and what they can expect from it. Specifically, we expect the revised Scheme will give potential or actual complainants:
a clear understanding of when a complaint can be made
when we will investigate a complaint
what may follow in terms of appropriate outcomes, including compensatory
payments and the appeals process to the Complaints Commissioner
1.30 This will enable us to work more efficiently, by reducing the time we spend explaining the
Scheme and increasing the time we spend investigating complaints and identifying the underlying causes and appropriate outcomes. Measuring success
1.31 We will use quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure whether the revised Scheme
achieves its objectives of being more user-friendly, transparent, and clear. Quantitative metrics include the volume of complaints received which the Regulators consider are out of scope, the volume of queries received by the Regulators and the volume of complaints referred to the Complaints Commissioner. Qualitative metrics will include complainants’ understanding of the Scheme as evidenced in our correspondence and through contact with them (which includes complainants’ understanding of our approach to compensation) as well as any reasons complainants tell us why they are referring their complaint to the Complaints Commissioner. Summary of feedback and our response
1.32 We received 411 responses to the CP. These came from individuals, consumer groups,
firms and trade bodies. We have included a list of non-confidential respondents in Annex 1.
1.33 A large proportion of respondents did not support all our proposals concerning
compensatory payments in recognition of financial loss. In particular, our proposals to introduce a £10,000 limit on compensatory payments for financial loss save for exceptional circumstances were not welcomed. Several of the more detailed responses, mainly from organisations, also raised objections to the use of the 'sole or primary' cause condition when considering a payment in recognition of financial loss.
1.34 Respondents were generally supportive of our proposals for compensatory payments
for non-financial loss. Some respondents said we should keep the levels under review.
1.35 We received supportive overall feedback about the language being more
understandable than the language in the current Scheme. Respondents told us that the diagrams proposed in the CP were a useful addition.
1.36 We have made changes to our proposals to reflect these comments where we agreed it
would improve the accessibility of the revised Scheme and help to clarify our approach to compensatory payments.
Equality and diversity considerations
1.37 We have considered the equality and diversity issues that may arise from the proposals
in this PS.
1.38 Question 5 of the CP sought views from respondents on the potential effect of the
proposals on those with protected characteristics. We set out the feedback and our response further below. Feedback received
1.39 Some respondents told us they thought there would be a greater impact on older
people as there is a positive correlation between net financial worth and age. Others highlighted that they thought our proposals would disproportionately affect other vulnerable groups, such as those who suffer from mental stress and physical disabilities as they were more likely to be victims of firms that the Regulators have failed to regulate.
1.40 Other respondents said that if the proposals achieve their aim of making the Scheme
more accessible, this should be beneficial. Respondents also explained that they felt the additional clarity will remove barriers for potential complainants and some respondents highlighted the use of accessible language was a positive step to help reduce barriers for complainants with protected characteristics.
1.41 One respondent explained that they felt the Regulator(s) should do more to
communicate the availability of the Scheme through channels other than the internet, bearing in mind the difficulties that people with certain protected characteristics may have accessing online, digital services. The respondent also explained that it should be made more prominent that the Regulator(s) will make ‘reasonable adjustments to allow people to access the Scheme’. Our response We have a Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not. Having considered the feedback we have received we do not consider that the proposals give rise to any detrimental effects on diversity or equality. In the CP, we explained that we were making improvements to the language and presentation of the Scheme document. We believe this will provide greater clarity for Scheme users and help to remove any potential barriers to accessibility. This is supported by the feedback we received in response to the question we asked in the CP ‘do you agree the language in Annex 2 is more accessible than the language of the current Scheme? Will the Scheme as proposed achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 3.3?’ We also specifically commit that we will continue to make reasonable adjustments as appropriate to enable people to access the Scheme.
Our proposals relating to compensatory payments also stated that the individual circumstances of a complainant will be taken into account by a Regulator in determining our response to a complaint. This includes the amount of any such payment. We are aiming to improve understanding of the Scheme and clarify our approach to compensatory payments. We are not amending the complainant eligibility criteria, or the purpose of the Scheme as set out in the FS Act. So we do not believe there will be any additional equality and diversity considerations as a result of the changes. Although we appreciate there may be a stronger correlation between age and net financial worth, the purpose of the Scheme (i.e. as an accountability mechanism for the Regulators) is not changing. The Scheme is not intended to insure against losses caused by firms that are not covered (or not covered in full) by the Financial Ombudsman Service or FSCS. This PS will not affect the protections available to consumers under the regulatory regime. It will also not affect our rules and guidance about how we expect regulated firms to treat vulnerable customers. In terms of accessibility, there are several ways in which complaints can be made. These include via our websites, email, telephone, and post, and, if required, complainants can give permission for a third party to act on their behalf. This information is already on our websites (FCA, PRA/Bank of England). Next steps
1.42 The revised Scheme will come into force on 1 November 2023 and only new complaints
made from this date will be considered under the revised Scheme. Complaints made before this date will be considered under the current Scheme.
Chapter 2
The Complaints Scheme
2.1 This chapter provides a summary of the feedback we received and sets out our
response to the issues raised. It includes areas where we are changing the Scheme in response to feedback. Simplifying the Scheme
2.2 We proposed a revised Scheme which is more user-friendly, using plain language to
make it more accessible.
2.3 One of the outcomes we sought to achieve from the revised Scheme was to ensure
users and potential users of the Scheme are more easily able to understand how it works. We asked:
Q1: Do you agree the language in the revised Scheme is more accessible than the language of the current Scheme? Will the Scheme as proposed achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 3.3 of the CP? Feedback received:
2.4 Respondents generally welcomed the changes and agreed that it made the proposed
Scheme more user-friendly and accessible for potential complainants. The use of diagrams to explain the complaints process and to show how a typical complaint which is referred to the Complaints Commissioner is handled were highlighted in several responses as a welcome addition to the Scheme.
2.5 A few responses stated that more could be done to improve the accessibility of
the Scheme, for example, improving the complaints form and web pages. Another respondent noted that the Scheme still included some language that was overly legalistic, such as the use of the word ‘remedy’ and the term ‘ex gratia compensatory payment’. Our response:
We are pleased that many respondents found the revised Scheme more user-friendly and welcomed the plain language changes. In response to some of the feedback received we are changing ‘ex gratia compensatory payment’ to ‘discretionary compensatory payment’ and ‘remedy’ to ‘outcome’ to increase understanding among complainants. In the CP, we set out that even if a complaint was eligible, we would not investigate a complaint under the Scheme if we reasonably considered
this to be vexatious. A small number of respondents asked us to clarify what we meant by vexatious. We have added a definition in the revised Scheme to address this feedback. We have clarified our service levels within the Scheme by re-stating the complaints process in a more understandable way. This is so complainants have clearer expectations about when they will receive a response from us on their complaint. In summary, we will aim to acknowledge receipt of a complaint within 5 working days. We will then aim to confirm our understanding of a complaint and if it can be investigated under the Scheme within 4 weeks of receipt. If we investigate the complaint under the Scheme, we will aim to complete our investigation within 8 weeks of receipt. In some cases, we may not be able to resolve a complaint within 8 weeks, for example, because the complaint is complex in nature, or the complaint is part of a group of complaints surrounding the same issue. In these cases, we will aim to keep complainants updated on our progress every 4 weeks. If we have deferred a complaint under the Scheme, we will review the appropriateness of our deferral and update complainants every 6 months, unless the circumstances giving rise to the deferral change. Although not included in the CP, the FCA has amended its complaint webform which complainants can use to submit complaints. The Regulators’ external web pages will be updated in time for when the new Scheme comes into force. The Regulators will also consider if further changes to its web pages are required following an embedding period based on complainant feedback and complaints data. We will also be adding one point into the Scheme as follows. The current Scheme under section 7.14 explained we would take into account 4 factors when we respond to the Complaints Commissioner. We also took these factors into account when considering an appropriate outcome, not just when responding to the Complaints Commissioner. We wanted to clarify the Scheme to make clear reference to the factors we take into account when considering an appropriate outcome. Three of these factors were included in paragraph 4.12 the draft Scheme in the CP, as factors that we would take into account when considering an appropriate outcome. However, factor c) of paragraph 7.14 in the current Scheme (‘whether what has gone wrong is at the operational or administrative level’) was not included. On reflection, we believe that this factor should remain as a consideration but should be reworded to give further clarity about our decision-making framework. We have added at 6.3 of the revised Scheme the additional wording as follows: ‘whether what happened was the result of an operational or administrative failure by us or a policy decision made by us where we had to balance conflicting interests and complex issues'. This is because we have a risk-based approach to regulation and we are required to make decisions about how we prioritise the use of our limited
resources to focus on the risks to our objectives.
Discretionary compensatory payments
2.6 We proposed a more detailed description of our approach to compensatory payments
to help complainants understand what they can and cannot expect from the Scheme. In summary, we outlined that compensatory payments will either be in recognition of financial loss subject to two conditions being met or to otherwise recognise the impact of the Regulator’s actions or inactions on the complainant.
2.7 Section 84 of the FS Act says that ‘the complaints scheme must be designed so that, as
far as reasonably practicable, complaints are investigated quickly.’ So the Scheme uses a common-sense approach to analysing the facts of the complaint in line with the relevant factors set out in the Scheme and deciding the appropriate outcome.
2.8 One of the outcomes we sought was to set realistic expectations of what the Scheme
can and cannot deliver in terms of outcomes, by clearly stating our approach to compensatory payments.
2.9 For many complaints this will be a non-financial outcome such as an apology. Where
appropriate, we will take action to improve our practices, policies or procedures to avoid the same problem reoccurring.
2.10 Alongside a non-financial outcome, we proposed that we may also make a
compensatory payment where our actions or inactions have had an impact on the complainant and the complainant experienced a level of distress or inconvenience.
2.11 Where appropriate, and subject to certain conditions, we proposed we may also make a
payment to recognise a financial loss.
2.12 We set out in the CP that we considered that the payments should be modest as:
2.15 One respondent felt that the CP ‘was right to make it clear that the Scheme cannot be
used as an alternative means of ‘insurance’ for products not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS'. They stated that ‘the fact that a regulator ‘might have done better’ in supervising a firm should not translate into an entitlement to compensation – that seems to me to have been the danger against which statutory immunity was intended to guard. Complainants need to understand this at the outset’.
2.16 However, several respondents disagreed with this position. A few felt the language of
the consultation was aimed at narrowing the scope of when the Regulators will pay compensation and others commented that the effect on firms regulated by us and indirectly on consumers was not a justification for imposing any limits on compensatory payments under the Scheme. One respondent said: ‘the legitimate way to reduce fees is for the regulator to improve its own performance and fines imposed on failing firms or firms involved in scandalous behaviour should be ringfenced for Scheme payments; not go to the Treasury.’
2.17 One respondent believed the Scheme should provide a brief and clear explanation about
how consumers can bring complaints against firms and access redress, along with signposting to the Financial Ombudsman Service and the FSCS. Our response The purpose of consulting on the Scheme was to give complainants clearer expectations of what they can expect from it. We recognise that there are concerns that the proposed changes to the Scheme may limit the amount and frequency of compensatory payments made by us. We maintain the view that we do not expect this clarification of our approach to compensatory payments to substantially change the proportion of cases in which we make such payments, nor the amounts paid. Although we levy fines on financial services firms as a result of enforcement action, the fines are paid to the Treasury rather than us (subject to deductions for enforcement costs). This is set out in section 109 of the FS Act. The Regulators are funded by fees paid by regulated firms, including financial market infrastructure firms. Any payments made under the Scheme will fall on the firms we regulate and ultimately consumers. So, it is appropriate that payments are modest. Also, regulated firms fund the statutory redress schemes for consumers (the Financial Ombudsman Service and the FSCS). This is to ensure that consumers can refer individual disputes about regulated firms to an independent alternative dispute resolution service free of charge and are protected in case of firm failure (in connection with most regulated activities). As we highlighted in the CP, we reviewed all complaints concluded by the Complaints Commissioner between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019, and all complaints concluded by the FCA during the same period where an allegation was upheld or partially upheld. From that sample, most of the payments were for amounts of £250 or less, with the most
common amount being £50. There were 9 payments in total for amounts greater than £1,000, with only 3 payments being for amounts greater than £10,000. Neither the PRA nor the Bank had made any compensatory payments under the Scheme when the CP was issued. Given the PRA and the Bank regulate fewer firms than the FCA, the PRA and the Bank generally receive fewer complaints under the Scheme than the FCA. We have updated this data to include payments made by the FCA between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. We have also broken down the payments the FCA made between standard and group complaints. A standard complaint is where we receive a singular complaint under the Scheme that the Complaints Team investigates and provides a response to. A group complaint is where we receive multiple complaints about the same issue from different complainants. Based on this updated data, the FCA made a payment on 1,598 occasions between January 2017 and December 2022. Most payments were still for amounts of £250 or less, with £75 the most common amount and £182 the mean (average) amount. There were 35 payments in total for amounts of £1,000 or more, with only 5 payments of £10,000 or more. Payments over £10,000 equate to 0.35% of the payments the FCA made in this sample period. For standard complaints, the FCA made a payment on 335 occasions between January 2017 and December 2022. The most common amount was £50 and the average amount was £351. Out of the 335 payments the FCA made on standard complaints, 16 were for amounts greater than £1,000 (4.8%) with 3 of the 16 payments being for amounts greater than £10,000 (0.9%). For group complaints, the FCA made a payment on 1,263 occasions between January 2017 and December 2022. The most common amount was £75 and the average amount was £137. Out of the 1,263 payments the FCA made on group complaints, 19 were for amounts greater than £1,000 (1.5%) with 2 of the 19 payments being for amounts greater than £10,000 (0.16%). The PRA has made 2 payments since the CP was published. In both instances, payments of £75 each were made for delays in handling the complaint. Based on the historical data of the compensatory payments we have made under the Scheme and as we are not changing the factors we consider when deciding on an appropriate outcome, it is right to highlight that payments made under the Scheme are likely to be modest. We recognise that some complainants who use the Scheme to seek redress may be better served by complaining directly to a firm and potentially to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS. The Scheme is not intended to insure against losses caused by unregulated firms or as a result of regulated activities that are not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS. Information has been
included within the Scheme to signpost complainants to organisations that may be able to review their complaint. This is in addition to the FCA website which already includes details of when a complaint or claim should be directed to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS. When we investigate a complaint where we believe the complainant may need to make a complaint to a regulated firm and potentially the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FSCS, we will highlight this to the complainant. We will include links to the Financial Ombudsman Service and the FSCS on the Complaints web page, and where relevant, other organisations such as Action Fraud, MoneyHelper, and the Citizens Advice Bureau. Compensatory payments for non-financial loss
2.18 We stated in the consultation that we would generally only make a compensatory
payment when our actions or inactions have affected the complainant and caused distress and inconvenience. We stated that if your distress or inconvenience is relatively minor, an apology, together with action to address your complaint and/or make improvements, will usually be the appropriate remedy.
2.19 We said payments would usually fall within the following levels, consistent with the
current Scheme:
2.22 One respondent noted the use of examples by other organisations to clarify the
Scheme’s intention and thought these could be included either in the Scheme or on the FCA’s website. Another believed there may be merit in using the terminology and 4 levels currently in use at the Financial Ombudsman Service for consistency.
2.23 However, several responded that the levels set out were too low and some felt the levels
of payments may result in fewer complaints being brought to us.
2.24 Some respondents asked for clarity on the effect on the financial services industry if a
high level of payments were made under the Scheme, and clarity on whether previous payments had been paid for distress and inconvenience or for financial loss. One respondent felt it was unclear if payment for distress and inconvenience could be paid in addition to a payment for financial loss.
2.25 One respondent said the Scheme should explicitly state a complainant can refer their
case to the Complaints Commissioner if they are unhappy with the amount offered. Review of payment levels
2.26 Some respondents asked whether the payment levels would be reviewed in the future.
One respondent felt an annual review and increase would be appropriate.
2.27 One respondent said it would be helpful to understand how the awards are benchmarked
against comparable compensatory payments for distress or inconvenience. Terminology
2.28 One respondent believed the terminology to describe the nature of payments not
linked to financial loss should be aligned with the terminology used by the Financial Ombudsman Service. Our response We believe the proposals provide clarity on the types of outcome available to complainants under the Scheme. The Scheme is for the investigation of complaints about the Regulators, and not a consumer redress scheme such as the service provided by the Financial Ombudsman Service. We will go ahead with the inclusion and use of payment levels where a compensatory payment for non-financial loss is appropriate. However, we have adjusted the levels from the CP to reflect the typical level of payment made at the current time. We have added a new starting level, Level 1, for payments up to £100. This level represents the scenario when we are most likely to make a payment (based on historical data). Level 1 is typically where our actions or inactions have had a relatively low impact on a complainant and typically arise from a one-off incident or occurrence such as a small administrative error. It will also include cases where there was a delay
in the handling of a complaint for up to 10 months that was avoidable. Between January 2017 and December 2022, 81% of payments made by the FCA fell into this level, as were the two payments made by the PRA under the Scheme. Following this, we have adjusted the subsequent levels in the table published in the CP. Level 2 is for payments between £101 and £500 to reflect a moderate level of distress and inconvenience as a result of our actions or inactions. This might typically arise from multiple small incidents or a single relatively significant incident and where the impact is moderate in duration. The level will also cover cases where there was a delay in handling complaints for over 10 months, which were avoidable. Based on the FCA’s payment data between January 2017 and December 2022, 16% of historical payments would fall into this level. Level 3 is for payments between £501 and £1,000. The level reflects scenarios where the complainant has experienced a high level of distress or inconvenience caused by a series of relatively significant failures in the Regulators’ processes or an unreasonable and prolonged delay on the Regulators’ part and the impact was of a lengthy duration. Based on the FCA’s payment data between January 2017 and December 2022, these types of payments were small in number, with 2% of historical payments falling into this level. Level 4 is for payments between £1,001 and £2,500. This level reflects scenarios where the complainant has experienced a very high level of distress or inconvenience caused by a major failure in Regulators’ processes or an unreasonable, prolonged and continuing delay, where the impact on the complainant is lengthy in duration and has lasting effects. The number of historical payments in the FCA’s data between January 2017 and December 2022 was low with only 1% of payments falling into this level. Level 5 is for payments of £2,501 and over and represents a new level compared to the table published in the CP. In the CP, we explained that ‘there may be exceptional circumstances, such as where our failings or the consequences for you are unusually severe, where we may conclude that a higher level of compensatory payment for distress or inconvenience in excess of the limits above would be appropriate.’ The FCA made 7 payments between January 2017 and December 2022, or 0.4% of the total payments made, that would fall into this category. The table has been updated as below:
Level Range Impact
1 Up to £100 Your complaint may fall into this category if we consider that you have experienced a relatively low level of distress or inconvenience as a result of our actions or inactions. This might typically arise from a one-off incident or occurrence such as a small administrative error, or where the impact on you is of short duration. Avoidable complaint handling delays of up to 10 months will fall into this category.
Level Range Impact
2 £101-£500 Your complaint may fall into this category if we consider that you have experienced a moderate level of distress or inconvenience as a result of our actions or inactions. This might typically arise from multiple small incidents, or a single, relatively significant incident, where the impact on you was of moderate duration. Avoidable complaint handling delays over 10 months will fall into this category. 3 £501 - £1,000 Your complaint may fall into this category if we consider that you have experienced a high level of distress or inconvenience as a result of our actions or inactions. This might typically arise from a series of relatively significant failures in our processes, or an unreasonable and prolonged delay on our part, where the impact on you was of a lengthy duration. 4 £1,001 - £2,500 Your complaint may fall into this category if we consider that you have experienced a very high level of distress or inconvenience as a result of our actions or inactions. This might typically arise from a major failure in our processes or an unreasonable, prolonged, and continuing delay on our part, where the impact on you was of a very lengthy duration with lasting effects. 5 Over £2,500 Your complaint may fall into this category if there are exceptional circumstances, such as where our failings or the consequences for you are unusually severe. These changes are intended to provide greater transparency on how such compensatory payments for non-financial loss are determined. The payment levels are intended as guidance and any actual payments will be made following consideration of the circumstances of the individual complainant. Where appropriate, a compensatory payment for a non-financial loss could be paid in addition to a payment for financial loss. We appreciate that not all complainants will be content with the amount of a compensatory payment offered, but we believe that by providing information on payment levels complainants will be better able to understand the amount they might receive under the Scheme for a nonfinancial loss. If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of their complaint, they may ask the Complaints Commissioner to review their case. Review of payment levels We are committing to reviewing the compensatory payment levels for non-financial loss every 2 years. This review will consider the last 2 years of payments the Regulators have made, recommendations we have received from the Complaints Commissioner, and other comparable
complaint schemes, for example, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, to ensure the levels remain appropriate. We will publish the outcome of our review. As the revised Scheme will take effect for all new complaints received from the 1 November 2023, we will start our first review of the payment levels in November 2025. We note some respondents raised a concern that this type of payment may be withdrawn in the future. To confirm, we have no plans to remove compensatory payments for non-financial loss. Terminology We confirm that we are amending certain terminology in the Scheme as set out in paragraph 2.5 of this PS. We consider the term ‘discretionary compensatory payments’ better reflects the intention of the Scheme. References to ‘ex gratia payments’ in the Scheme have been replaced accordingly. Compensatory payments in recognition of financial loss
2.29 We set out in the consultation that we will consider making a payment in recognition of
financial loss where adequate documentary evidence of the loss has been provided and the following further conditions have been met:
Feedback received
General feedback
2.33 This question received a large amount of feedback. A small number of respondents
welcomed the greater transparency included in the revised Scheme and no respondents disagreed that documentary evidence should be provided to demonstrate a financial loss. ‘Sole or primary cause’ condition
2.34 Several respondents were unhappy with this as they believed it would be difficult
or highly unlikely for a complainant to prove we were the sole or primary cause of a loss. One respondent commented that the effect of the Scheme as consulted on is to introduce a non-compensatory Scheme. Another felt it was almost certain the Regulators will never be the sole cause of the loss and it was highly unlikely for us to ever be the primary cause of the loss, as the primary cause would inevitably be the misconduct of a third-party firm or individual. As such, the existence of the sole or primary cause made the Scheme worthless in practice. One respondent explained the ‘sole or primary cause of loss’ test should be replaced with the test proposed for distress and inconvenience payments. The same respondent also commented that where a complainant has suffered a financial loss and the firm who caused the loss is unable to pay or where the losses suffered exceed the Financial Ombudsman Service or FSCS compensation limits then we should make a compensatory payment.
2.35 Some respondents said the use of examples may be helpful in clarifying compensatory
payments for financial loss where we would or wouldn’t be considered to be the ‘sole or primary cause’. Compensation limits
2.36 Paragraph 4.13 of the CP explained that no compensatory payment relating to a financial
loss will exceed £10,000, save in exceptional circumstances. Many respondents were unhappy with this, which they perceived to be an artificial limit of the amount of financial loss that would be compensated.
2.37 One respondent felt that full compensation for financial loss should be awarded,
and some were concerned that any limit would mean complainants would carry a loss and the Scheme should not exclude the right to award or recommend sufficient compensation for the financial loss incurred.
2.38 Some respondents believed that the ‘exceptional circumstances’ should be defined, and
examples given to help complainants understand the meaning of this.
2.39 One respondent felt that ‘exceptional circumstances’ should not be a barrier to fair
compensation being paid, and a ‘common sense’ approach should be taken, and compensation should be paid in full.
Our response
We propose to retain the language in the revised Scheme about the factors we consider before making a compensatory payment in order to manage expectations. We believe this is appropriate because it provides clarity and sets a realistic expectation of the likelihood of a compensatory payment in recognition of financial loss being made. ‘Sole or primary cause’ condition We recognise that some respondents raised concerns about the application of a sole or primary cause condition. This is one of two conditions a complaint must meet to be considered for a discretionary compensatory payment in recognition of financial loss, as explained in Annex A of the Scheme as consulted on in the CP. The assessment broadly reflects our past practice regarding the circumstances in which we have made compensatory payments for financial loss, although we recognise we have not always used consistent language. For example, we have referred to not being the ‘principal’ cause of loss, or not being the ‘direct cause’. We are proceeding with the inclusion of the sole or primary cause condition in the Scheme. Some respondents opposed the inclusion of the condition, but a few saw the purpose of it. We think that the inclusion of the condition will be beneficial as it will provide consistency and transparency in our approach to paying compensatory payments in recognition of financial loss. Having considered the feedback we received, we have amended the order of the two conditions in the Scheme so that the clear and significant failure condition will be listed first, and the sole or primary cause condition will be listed second. This is to emphasise that we will give consideration to both conditions when deciding if a discretionary compensatory payment in recognition of financial loss is appropriate. We wish to avoid creating any implication that the focus of our assessment is the sole or primary cause condition, and that we would only consider the clear and significant failure condition if the sole or primary cause condition has been met, as may have been suggested in some of the feedback. However, this does not change the requirement, as set out in the revised Scheme, that both conditions must be met for us to consider making a payment in recognition of financial loss. We have also considered the challenge that in circumstances where the Regulators should have acted differently, affected consumers should be compensated in full by the Regulators and the cost of this compensation should be borne by the financial services industry rather than the affected consumers. Some responses also said that the effect of compensatory payments on firms and consumers is not an appropriate justification for limiting payments. We do not agree with this view.
The statutory framework established by Parliament provides for specific mechanisms (in the form of the FSCS and the Financial Ombudsman Service) for providing redress for consumers where appropriate. The Scheme was intended to act as a complaints scheme, and as stated in paragraph 1.16 above it is not a redress scheme and was not intended to undermine our statutory immunity. We do not believe the intention of the legislation was for the Scheme to act as insurance against firm failures or provide top-up redress. The levy for the FSCS is already socialised across the financial services industry and it would not be appropriate to further increase levies on regulated firms (as the Regulators are funded by the financial services industry) to cover losses not covered by the existing statutory framework. Compensation limits The purpose of indicating in the CP that any compensatory payment for financial loss will not exceed £10,000, save in exceptional circumstances, was to set realistic expectations about the likely levels of payment. This amount took into consideration the level of payments made under the current Scheme. We explained in the CP that between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019 only 3 payments were for amounts greater than £10,000, with this increasing to 5 for the period between January 2017 and December 2022. In response to the feedback received to the CP and after careful consideration we are removing the provision in the Scheme which provided that compensatory payments for financial loss would not exceed £10,000 save in exceptional circumstances. However, this does not affect our view that payments made under the Scheme are likely to be modest because to do otherwise would risk undermining our statutory immunity and the factors we consider when determining the appropriate outcome have not changed. The fact that payments for financial loss have historically been modest is shown by the updated payments data set out in this document. We appreciate that setting an amount of £10,000 may also act as a target and not achieve the intention of managing expectations, given that most payments have been below this level. The Scheme is not designed to consider complex issues of causation, and our determination of any compensatory payment cannot be made in the same way in which a Court or Tribunal might calculate an award of compensatory damages. We do not interview witnesses or complainants. We instead carry out a common-sense analysis. We will also still consider how the cumulative impact of payments may affect the fees we levy on the financial services industry and hence affect the costs met by consumers as referenced above. In some cases, we may decide that the levels of compensatory payments need to be reduced in light of that impact.
We recognise that the amount of compensatory payments we make will however be dependent on the specific circumstances of the case. The Appointment of the Complaints Commissioner and Annual Reporting Requirements
2.40 Annex C of the Scheme as consulted on explained that under Part 6 of the FS Act,
the Regulators must appoint an individual, subject to the approval of the Treasury, as Complaints Commissioner to carry out the functions conferred on them by the Scheme.
2.41 The Annex also explained at paragraph 11 of Annex C of the Scheme as consulted on
that the Complaints Commissioner will prepare an annual report on their investigations under the Scheme and detailed what the report would include.
2.42 The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 sets out that the appointment of the
Complaints Commissioner is the responsibility of the Treasury, not the Regulators and also updates the annual reporting requirements.
2.43 As these amendments are the result of legislative change, we have updated the relevant
Annex (Annex D) in the revised Scheme to reflect these changes.
Other comments
2.44 We also received feedback from some respondents which sits outside of the questions
asked by the CP.
Feedback received
Our response
We have responded to this feedback below:
Chapter 3
Implementation
3.1 This chapter sets out the transitional arrangements for implementing the revised
Scheme.
Implementation arrangements
3.2 We set out in the CP that we would handle all complaints made after the revised Scheme
comes into force under the revised Scheme.
3.3 Existing complaints would continue to be handled under the current Scheme. Where
the Complaints Commissioner provides a report to us about a complaint concluded before the revised Scheme comes into force on 1 November 2023 we would decide how to respond to the Complaints Commissioner’s report and any recommendations in line with Section 7 of the current Scheme.
3.4 We asked the following question:
Q4: Do you agree with our proposals for implementing the [revised] Scheme? Feedback
3.5 Many of respondents were concerned that the revised Scheme would be applied
retrospectively (particularly where the compensation amounts set out in the CP ‘would apply to events occurring before the revised Scheme is published’.) One respondent suggested that the revised Scheme should only apply to the Regulators’ actions or inactions which occur after the revised Scheme becomes effective. Others considered that the proposals did not go far enough to achieve greater clarity and accessibility. Our response We do not propose to make any changes to the proposals as set out in the revised Scheme. While the Scheme will apply to complaints that concern acts or omissions by the Regulator that have already happened, to operate the Scheme there needs to be an element of certainty both for the Regulators and complainants as to which Scheme version is applicable. Investigating complaints in line with the Scheme that was applicable at the time the events occurred is likely to lead to uncertainty and confusion. It is likely we would need to have multiple versions of the Scheme operating at the same time for a longer period. It may even result in having two versions of the Scheme operating for a single complaint
which relates to events which occurred both before and after the revised Scheme comes into force. We propose to investigate complaints in line with the Scheme that applies at the time the complaint was made to the Regulator(s). This means that there will be a limited period where both Scheme documents are in use. If complaints have been made to the Regulator(s) under the current Scheme and then deferred, or are still under investigation at the time any revised Scheme comes into force, or if the Regulator(s) are responding to a report by the Complaints Commissioner which relates to complaints made before the revised Scheme comes into force on 1 November 2023, then the current Scheme will apply to those matters.
Annex 1
List of non-confidential respondents
Individuals
Adam Samuel
Alastair Hull
Aldo Nicoll
Alex Stacey
Alexander Allan
Alison Moffat
Amanda Cunningham
Ann Cardinal
Anthony Conry
Antonia Summer
Antony Molyneux
Ashokkumar Patel
Barrie Smith
Brian Lander
Brian Michael Wilton-Cox
Carol Jelbert
Carolyn Francis
Catherine Hendry
Catherine Tompkins
D F Webster
Dan Lott
Daniel Cloake
David Harwood-Turnbull
Derek Cowan
Derek Sydney Upton
Diane Hubbard
Donald Firminger
Dorothy La Barre
E Howey
Eileen Pearson
Elaine Hall
Eric Karas
Eugen Stanciu
F Girardotti
Fiona Gordon
Fred Hotchen
Gary Martin
Gary Smith
George Gray
Gordon Neave
Grant Walker
Gwen Davies
Hazel O’Byrne
Helen Smith
Hilary Bryan
Ian Davis
Isa King
Isabel Lennox
J Hunt
James Crowe
James Ewing
James Reddy
James Volland
Jan Hickman
Jeanette Robertson
Jeffery William Brown
Jenny Meara
Joan Finch
Joanna Bowman
John Cole
John Curran
John Hodgson
John Rogula
Jonathan Robert Grant
Jos Haynes
Judith Clark
Julie Chestney
K Neilson
Karen Baker
Kashmiro Hawker
Keith Elliott
Keith Gorst
Keith Lanvaster
Keith Rich
Kevin Clarke
Kim Mcintosh
Kings Krawiec
Lauren Pye
Lesley Naylor
Liam Gwynne
Linda Hotchen
Lindsey Ferguson
Lisa King
Lorraine Styles
Malcolm Clark
Margaret Ryan
Mark Goble
Mark Hornby
Mark Joyce
Martin Anthony Hounsell
Mary Young
Melvin Lester Frankland
Michael Renshaw
Michael Smith
Michelle Tuohy
Mike Legg
Mohammed Amin
Nick Taylor
Nigel Harper
Pamela Warner
Panos Simou
Paul Grech
Paul Lenton
Paul Pascoe
Paul Warren
Penny Bainbridge
Penny Clarke
Peter Cornell
Peter Tompkins
Peter Turner
Philip Whalley
Richard Larcombe
Robert Capewell
Roj (No Surname given)
Russell McDermid
Samantha Hadden
Sarah Harvey
Sharon Melville
Simon Hartridge
Smarajit Roy
Stephanie Wills
Stephen Edwards
Stephen Hayes
Stephen Mountney
Stephen Raven
Stephen Robinson
Sue Weston
Sunil Sood
Susan Elwood
Susan Warren
Susan Wilkinson
Susanne Kerss
T A Jones
Terry Cooke
Tim Porter
Timothy Kerss
Tina Carson
Trevor Slattery
Trudy Austin
Ursula Riniker
Valerie Cacchi
Valerie Chambers
Wendy Firminger
William Buckland
William May
Organisations
Antony Townsend (Complaints Commissioner 2014-2020) Association of Mortgage Intermediaries The Transparency Taskforce
Annex 2
Glossary
Abbreviation Description
Complaint
Any expression of dissatisfaction about the way one or more of the Regulators or the FSA has carried out, or failed to carry out, its relevant functions Complaints Commissioner The independent person appointed by the Treasury to be responsible for the conduct of investigations in line with the Scheme Complainant The person making a complaint CP FCA - Consultation Paper 20/11 PRA – Consultation Paper 8/20 current Scheme The Scheme in force from 1 April 2013 to 31 October 2023 FCA Financial Conduct Authority FS Act Financial Services Act 2012 FSA Financial Services Authority FSCS Financial Services Compensation Scheme FSMA Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 IRHP Interest Rate Hedging Products LCF London Capital and Finance plc Legislative functions The functions of the Regulators, including rule-making and guidance/ statement-issuing, which are set out at Section 85(4) to (7) of the Financial Services Act 2012 PRA Prudential Regulation Authority PS Joint Policy Statement by the FCA, the PRA and the Bank which sets out our response to the CP feedback Relevant functions The functions of the Regulators which are set out at Section 85 of the Financial Services Act 2012, which do not include the Regulators’ legislative functions revised Scheme The Complaints Scheme in force from 1 November 2023
Abbreviation Description
The Bank Bank of England
The Regulators The Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England The Scheme The Complaints Scheme The Treasury His Majesty’s Treasury All our publications are available to download from www.fca.org.uk. Request an alternative format Please complete this form if you require this content in an alternative format. Sign up for our news and publications alerts
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“A Scheme for investigating complaints about the Regulators was first established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA)”
“The Regulators have a joint Complaints Scheme (the Scheme) under the Financial Services Act 2012 (FS Act).”
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