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Written Question
Financial Ombudsman Service
Wednesday 14th October 2026

Asked by: Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of whether DISP guidance is sufficient to ensure that Financial Ombudsman Service ombudsmen document and address Consumer Rights Act 2015 unfair contract terms arguments raised by complainants.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an independent non-governmental body. The rules on how the FOS should handle complaints are set out in the Dispute Resolution (DISP) rules in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Handbook.

How ombudsmen document their decisions is a matter for the FOS, acting in line with the legislative framework and the DISP rules. The current DISP guidance requires the FOS to take into account relevant law and regulations when considering what is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case. This includes the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and its provisions on unfair contract terms, where relevant.

The Government has introduced legislation as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill to reform the legal framework in which the FOS operates, to increase consistency and clarity of decision-making, helping people resolve disputes more quickly and with greater certainty. This includes placing an obligation on the FOS and FCA to publish joint thematic reports that will provide useful information and clarification on how the FOS will consider certain types of complaint.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"As has been said many times before, and ignored just as often by Conservative Members, the Tories’ legacy Act utterly failed our veterans, drawing an unacceptable equivalence between the actions of those seeking to defend peace and uphold the rule of law, and the terrorists who sought to undermine it …..."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

The Labour party’s willingness to deal with these failings is most welcome. At this point, may I, with your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, give my brief thanks to the previous Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Leeds South (Hilary Benn), who was the …..."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"I thank the Secretary of State for his intervention, but I was coming on to that. I am told, as he has just told me again, that the reason we have a Committee of the whole House is that we need to include our colleagues who represent Northern Ireland. However, …..."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"The point is that we have only a week to consider 156 amendments, and then we have only two days to discuss them. We need line-by-line scrutiny.

The legislation does not exist in a vacuum. The House is aware that tensions have increased in the wake of the decisions to …..."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"He did, but I have now discovered a table, helpfully produced by the Northern Ireland Office, detailing the key ones. It is very useful, but what we and the veterans groups need is time to work through the implications of each amendment, and to talk to our veterans. That is …..."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"I remain to be convinced that the Bill, even after 156 amendments, can deliver on its essential function, and I am concerned that we cannot properly scrutinise the proposed wording to see if it will. For those reasons, the Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose the motion...."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 13 Oct 2026
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)

"I point out, with respect, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the Secretary of State told the House much about his amendments in his speech...."
Paul Kohler - View Speech

View all Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill (Carry-over Extension)
Division Vote (Commons)
13 Oct 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 69 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 189 Noes - 306
Division Vote (Commons)
13 Oct 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 66 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 89 Noes - 312