DEMSAPlus

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week US tariffs increase coffee prices, impacting café and bakery owners. UK exporters face challenges due to a new 10% US tariff on goods. The FCA focuses on supporting innovative financial products and easing new firm regulations. Ofwat introduces mandatory PSR standards to aid vulnerable customers. UKRN's 2025-2026 delivery plan emphasises collaboration and effective regulation. Target Group enhances customer interaction with AI-driven functionalities. Individual insolvency rates vary significantly across regions in England & Wales.… Read more

DEMSA Column: UKRN strategy / Ofwat PSR requirements / Economy / Debt advice/ Regional insolvency / Collaborations / Events

In today’s bulletin: General update FCA support for innovative products and new firms Ofwat Priority Services Register (PSR) standards UKRN 2025-2026 delivery plan Collaborations Training Events General update The price for a cup of coffee in the US is going up as tariffs put the squeeze on local café and bakery owners The flip side of the Trump tariffs. Some US businesses say the queues for a morning latte are already getting shorter as customers tighten their belts and imported… Read more

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What you need to know this week UK card transactions surpassed £1 trillion in 2024, with an increase in both the number of transactions and cards issued. The FCA outlined a 5-year strategic focus including smarter regulation, economic growth support, enhanced consumer navigation in financial decisions, and intensified efforts against financial crime. Consumer Duty rules have been fully implemented, prompting quick regulatory changes to reduce costs and support consumer outcomes. The Spring Statement 2025 highlighted a bleak outlook for UK… Read more

DEMSA Column: IVA protocol / Complaint handling / Ofwat / FOS / Motor Finance Commission / Collaborations / Events

In today’s bulletin: General update IVA Protocol FOS Strategic plans and budget Aryza blog from Debt Awareness Week Collaborations Training Events General update £1 trillion worth of UK card transactions in 2024 UK issued debit and credit cards were used to make 31.4 billion transactions in 2024 (both here and abroad) – up from 30.2 billion transactions in 2023.  At the end of 2024 there were 163.4 million UK debit and credit cards in issue – up from 159.7 million… Read more

KEY THEMES+ ¦ DEMSA Summary

What You Need to Know This Week Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee maintained the Bank Rate at 4.5%. UK government borrowing was higher than anticipated in February, adding fiscal pressure before the Spring Statement. Significant rise in debit and credit card transactions in December 2024, indicating increased consumer spending. The government plans major welfare benefit changes to reduce expenditure, including ending reassessments for those with severe, long-term conditions. Colin Trend's profile highlights his 30-year experience in financial difficulty service… Read more

DEMSA Column: QA workshop / Personal Insolvency Stats / Growth agenda / Business attire / Economy / Events / Collaborations / Training

In today’s bulletin: General update Personal insolvency stats for February 2025 QA framework workshop Call for evidence – data intermediaries Government Debt Management Function (GDMF) Functional Centre - Communication Toolkit Collaborations Training Events General update Interest rates were held at 4.5% last week. At its meeting ending on 19 March 2025, the MPC voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain Bank Rate at 4.5%. One member preferred to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4.25%. Link: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2025/march-2025… Read more