Citizens Advice responds to stronger protections announced by the FCA on Buy Now Pay Later

12 Feb 2026 12:52 PM

Anne Pardoe, Head of Policy at Citizens Advice, responded to the announcement by the Financial Conduct Authority that Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) borrowers will benefit from stronger protections from 15 July 2026, following the Government’s decision to bring the sector FCA’s regulation

“After years of calling for stronger protections in the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) sector, it’s encouraging to hear the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) new rules to regulate the market are soon coming into force.

“These protections couldn’t come soon enough. The growing BNPL market is driving more people to our services each year, with many struggling to repay credit they can’t afford or falling behind on essential bills. 

“Regulation this summer will be a pivotal step in bringing BNPL in line with other forms of credit. Meaning people will get access to the Financial Ombudsman Service, and have the safeguards they need when things go wrong.”

Additional information: 

• In 2025, Citizens Advice helped 7,468 people with a BNPL issue. This is an increase of 35% compared with 2024, and is more than four times the amount of people helped in the whole of 2022.
• In the first month of 2026, the charity helped 844 people with a BNPL issue. This is almost double the number from the same period in 2024 (422 people).
• Dealing with debt repayments is still the main issue among those who come to Citizens Advice for help with BNPL (84% of clients with a BNPL issue in 2025).