POLICE are seeking the assistance of the public to trace a 15-year-old male missing from the Drylaw area.
Ahmed Bader was last seen around 1400hrs, Monday 30th March 2026, near to the Meadowbank area. Ahmed’s family are extremely concerned for his wellbeing.
Ahmed is described as a Black male, around 6 feet tall, medium build, with short black afro hair. He was wearing a light blue navy tracksuit, a black gilet, and black trainers.
Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace Ahmed. Enquiries thus far have revealed that Ahmed has connections within the Gorgie area.
T/PS Laura Elliott said: It is out of character for Ahmed not to be in touch with his family and friends. We just want to know that he is safe and well.
If anyone has seen Ahmed or has any information or knowledge as to his whereabouts, please contact Police as a matter of urgency.
Anyone with information is asked to call officers at Drylaw Police Station on the Police non-emergency number, 101, quoting incident number 1433 of the 31/03/2026.
Shell-abrate Easter with Edinburgh Science Festival, opening this week!
With the theme of Going Global, Edinburgh Science Festival (4 April – 19 April) is the world’s first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals. It presents a wide range of workshops, talks, exhibitions and much more, aiming to inspire people of all ages to get hands-on with science.
Some of this year’s speakers, among many others, include Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, first British astronaut Helen Sharman, the nation’s favourite wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin, the OBGYN Mum – Dr Brooke Vandermolen, and The Great British Bake Off 2020 winner Peter Sawkins and 2023 finalist Dr John Smalley.
A new seasonal fire byelaw for the Cairngorms National Park will come into force today. From 1 April to 30 September each year, campfires and barbecues will not be permitted in the National Park.
Sandy Bremner, Convener at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said:“We want people to keep enjoying all that the National Park offers but we also need everyone to help protect it. We know it only takes one rogue spark to start a wildfire and when there is so much to lose, we can’t take that risk.
“Alongside the new byelaw, we are rolling out a major communications campaign which will focus on the message of ‘Protect our National Park. No flame, no spark.’ Roadside signs, leaflets, social media and local business support will help ensure people know the rules before they arrive. We are also working with councils, estates, community groups and businesses to share information and take a joined-up approach.”
The changing climate means we are experiencing longer, drier spring and summer months and an increased risk of wildfires. Last year, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to more than 200 wildfires across Scotland, including a major incident on Dava Moor and at Carrbridge.
Area Commander Robert Lennox, a Local Senior Officer with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Wildfires pose a real risk to people, properties and nature. Each wildfire we respond to can have a significant impact on our resources and these incidents are often in remote locations, which take time to reach.
“Extreme weather events are becoming more common across Scotland, and we know that communities in the Cairngorms have felt this acutely in recent years, with floods, drought and wildfires. This byelaw is an important new tool to tackle wildfire risk and safeguard the National Park.”
Approved by Scottish Government ministers in 2025 following a major consultation – in which 79% of the 1,600 respondents supported the introduction of a seasonal fire byelaw – the measure forms part of a broader package of actions aimed at reducing the growing risk of wildfires across the National Park.
From April 2026, countryside rangers will have the power, through the Procurator Fiscal, to enforce the ban. Failure to comply with the byelaw carries a fine of up to £500, although education and prevention will remain the priority.
The Park Authority is also investing in additional joint patrols with Police Scotland at key hotspots. This will be supported by enhanced ranger training and continued collaboration with partner ranger services.
A record number of countryside rangers will be on patrol this year. Additional weekend rangers have been recruited, a new full-time permanent ranger has joined the team in the Angus Glens and in total, more than 100 rangers – including permanent, seasonal, volunteer, trainee and partner services staff – will be deployed across the National Park this summer.
Grant Moir, Chief Executive Officer of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said:“This byelaw is part of our wider work on implementing the Integrated Wildfire Management Plan for the National Park.
“This involves working on fire ponds, estate fire plans, our Climate Adaptation Fund and much more. The byelaw is just one of a range of measures helping us tackle the threat of wildfires in the National Park.”
Julia Duncan, Estate Ranger at Atholl Estates, said: “Rangers are out every day speaking to visitors and helping them enjoy the National Park responsibly.
“This new byelaw gives us an important tool in the box to reduce wildfire risk, protect wildlife and habitats and make sure everyone can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely.”
Members of the public are urged to help by spreading the word that people should not light fires or barbecues outside their own gardens between 1 April and 30 September, follow advice from rangers and local signage, and report any fires immediately by calling 999.
Businesses and community spaces can request a variety of resources, including social media graphics, posters and window stickers, from this dedicated page on the Park Authority website.
For more information on the fire byelaw, go to cairngorms.co.uk/fires.
Opening this Thursday 2 April, step inside the mind and brushstrokes of much-loved Scottish artist Joan Eardley with a fresh insight into her powerful and expressive paintings in a new, free, two-room exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two.
Taking over the ground floor of Modern Two and opening just in time for the Easter weekend, Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will explore the artist’s vibrant artworks from a whole new perspective.
Consisting solely of works from Scotland’s national collection, this exhibition will bring together over 30 of Joan Eardley’s artworks, alongside some of the most notable names in the art world including Claude Monet, John Constable, Bet Low, William McTaggart, Jean Dubuffet and Antoni Tàpies.
It will offer a unique opportunity to look at how the beloved Scottish artist engaged with the world and artists around her.
Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will feature 14 of Eardley’s oil paintings from the Scottish national collection alongside a selection of her works on paper and archival materials. Immerse yourself in Eardley’s iconic views of coastal village Catterline, discover never-before-seen objects from her studio in Glasgow and come face to face with the Glaswegian children who inspired many of her works.
The Nature of Painting follows previous National Galleries of Scotland exhibitions dedicated to Eardly’s artwork including Joan Eardley: A Sense of Place at Modern Two in 2017 and Joan Eardley & Catterline at Modern One in 2022.
This new exhibition for 2026 will present a fresh perspective on her artistic practice, inviting visitors to view her paintings amidst a variety of artists and movements, while exploring the possibilities of influence and interest.
Key works on display in Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting will include the glimmering Summer Fields (about 1961), in which a bright golden cornfield dominates a grey Catterline sky.
This painting comes to life in more ways than one, through both Eardley’s expressive brushstrokes and the inclusion of real blades of grass and wheat from the environment around her, giving insight into her artistic methods. Several other scenes of Catterline will also be displayed including the atmospheric Catterline in Winter (1963) and Hedgerow with Grasses and Flowers (1962-1963), inspired by the wildflower fields behind Eardley’s cottage.
Visitors will also meet sisters Anne and Pat Samson, immortalised in childhood through Children and Chalked Wall 3, (1962-1963). In this portrait, Eardley’s signature bold style captures the essence of Anne and Pat’s endearing smiles, as they huddle together in a moment of sisterly affection.
The girls are surrounded by a collage of newspapers and painted graffiti, as well as silver and gold papers, presumed to be sweet wrappers. This portrait, displayed in the exhibition along with others including Street Kids (1949-1951), tells the stories of real Glasgow children who lived close to Eardley’s studio, and captures their friendliness and community spirit which Eardley admired.
Born in West Sussex in 1921, Eardley moved to Glasgow with her family during the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. She studied at Glasgow School of Art and Hospitalfield House where she was taught by Scottish artists including Hugh Adam Crawford and James Cowie.
It was during this time that she began to shape her preference for painting everyday subjects. Eardley rented a studio in the centre of Glasgow in 1948, and a few years later moved to Townhead, where the local children became her artistic subjects.
In 1954, she bought a cottage in the small fishing village of Catterline, south of Aberdeen. Catterline’s coastal charm and dramatic seascapes formed the subject of many of Eardley’s paintings, providing the perfect setting for her expressive artwork to flourish. After her untimely passing from cancer in 1963, Eardley’s ashes were scattered on the beach at Catterline, creating a lasting bond between the artist and the place which inspired her.
A range of archival and photographic materials from the Scottish national collection will also be displayed in Modern Two’s Keiller Library. Donated to the National Galleries of Scotland in 1987 by Eardley’s sister Patricia, the artist’s archive contains a range of interviews, photographs and personal contents from her studio.
This display will give a glimpse into the artist’s world, painting a picture of the woman behind the artwork, as well as giving context to what she admired most in the work of others.
For the very first time, visitor favourite from the Scottish national collection Grainstacks: Snow Effect (1891) by Claude Monet will go on display alongside Eardley’s artworks. A key founder of the Impressionist movement, Monet was known for finding his source of inspiration in the outdoors, bringing nature to life through abstract brushstrokes and textures, much like Eardley’s paintings of the Catterline landscape.
The gentle gold light across frosty stacks of grain and bold use of paint echoes elements Eardley used in Summer Fields. Bringing these artworks together especially for this exhibition highlights artistic similarities spanning generations, whether intentional or not.
Kerry Gledhill, Senior Librarian and Lead Curator of Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Joan Eardley was an artist so completely driven to paint the truth of what she saw around her that she pushed her medium to its very limits.
“She was drawn to subjects which tap into a common humanity, a connection to nature or a sense of community and kinship. Like all great artists, her paintings speak to us across the intervening decades.
“The opportunity to show Eardley’s work alongside that of Constable, Monet and Tàpies, to name just a few, gives us a unique insight into the nature of painting, experimentation and creativity.”
Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting is a free National Galleries of Scotland exhibition opening in the lower galleries of Modern Two on Thursday 2 April 2026.
Edinburgh College recently advanced its Net Zero goals after becoming the first college in Scotland to completely decarbonise one of its campuses.
Working in partnership with renewable energy experts Vital Energi, and funded through the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme 2024/25, the College completed one of its most ambitious energy programmes to date by replacing the existing fossil‑fuel heating system at its Midlothian Campus with a new renewable heating system.
The College’s gas heating system has been replaced by a new 640kW air source heat pump, delivered through the Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEE), with upgrades being made to the secondary heat system and controls, which will reduce carbon emissions on campus by over 100 tonnes each year.
Edinburgh College Vice Principal Jon Buglass said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone, with our Midlothian Campus becoming the first college campus in Scotland to be fully decarbonised.
“We’ve completely replaced a fossil‑fuel heating system with a modern, renewable alternative that will cut emissions, reduce long‑term operating costs, and create a more sustainable environment that will benefit our college community for years to come.”
The project is being delivered through the NDEE framework and comes with an energy performance contract, which guarantees certain key performance indicators, such as carbon reduction, will be met, providing the College with certainty that its new heating system will perform as promised.
Vital Energi’s Regional Manager, Kieran Walsh said: “Normally, organisations decarbonise in phases, with several smaller projects, but Edinburgh College has been able to electrify their heating system in one single phase, which is an important achievement, and one which we’re sure will inspire other colleges.”
“The scheme allows them to break away from old, fossil fuelled boilers and embrace the latest technology and, as the grid decarbonises through more green sources, such as wind and solar, those carbon savings will continue to grow.”
In addition to eliminating its reliance on gas in a single phase, the project has an added benefit of being an educational resource for the College’s Engineering, Renewables and Energy Efficiency Training Centre, allowing students to study and learn from the new low-carbon system.
On Monday Living Rent campaigners took action outside Edinburgh City Chambers as the councillors voted to strike off four landlords from the landlord register.
Living Rent said: ‘This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords.
‘Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord.
‘Everyone should have a safe, warm and affordable home. The council has proven they can take action, now they need to go further and clamp down on all rogue landlords across the city!’
This historically autonomous port town, whose motto is ‘Persevere’ and whose independence has been contested across its nine centuries, has an incredibly rich heritage, and a distinct modern culture and attitude to life. A vibrant swagger that is modern Leith, and on which a community-led bid aims to shine a spotlight.
The proposal for UK Town of Culture 2028 has been developed from the ground up by a collective of volunteers based in Leith – residents, artists, cultural organisations, schools, community groups and independent businesses who want to celebrate its identity and its creativity, while making sure that more people feel welcome, included and proud of where they live.
Over 70 organisations and public figures including Leith Theatre, Hibs FC, Leith School of Art, Grid Iron Theatre Company, Historic Environment Scotland, Unique Events, Forth Ports, FirstStage Studios, Coburg Studios, Leith Civic Trust, Leith Community Centre, Leith Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, VOCAL, Citadel, EHFM, Leith Academy, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith Library and many others have signed up to back the bid, alongside its three community councils, elected officials, and with the backing of City of Edinburgh Council as accountable body.
The bid area spans the community council areas of Leith Central, Leith Harbour & Newhaven, and Leith Links, home to around 50,000 residents and one of the most diverse, densely populated, and fast-changing areas in Scotland.
Leith is internationally recognised for its creative energy, food scene and waterfront – ranked fourth coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out in their influential annual list of 2021, and 16th in 2023. The home of The Proclaimers whose “Sunshine on Leith” remains the people’s anthem, Irvine Welsh and Trainspotting, undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World Ken Buchanan, Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson, and pioneering physician and suffragette Grace Ross Cadell; the place where a cure for scurvy was found, the site of the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery, where the first set of rules for golf were written, and where the first ship to cross the Atlantic purely using steam was built. Leith is a place rich with culture, innovation and history.
It is also an area of sharp contrasts where pockets of significant deprivation sit alongside rapid development. The partnership bid seeks to address these tensions, widening opportunity, creating pathways, building skills development and employability in order to protect what makes Leith distinctive while building a stronger future for its communities through a celebration of culture, investment, pride and developed partnerships.
Leith’s Town of Culture plans, designed following a round-table session with interested residents and organisations, include large-scale public moments on the waterfront; a year-round rhythm of community-led festivals and commissions; a £1 millionCommunity Culture Fund empowering grassroots organisations; what the team are calling “Sunshine on Leith”- public-realm legacy improvements; and long-term investment in skills, access and cultural infrastructure.
The events, it proposes, would draw not just pride, but also a reflection on the history that has brought it to this point, a story which included the transatlantic slave trade, industrial decline and an amalgamation into the city of Edinburgh that Leithers voted overwhelmingly against back in 1920.
Participation is central. Should Leith be shortlisted, people of all ages will help shape and curate the programme through participatory forums, youth leadership, and neighbourhood-based activity. Accessibility is embedded from the outset, with a commitment to free and low-cost events, inclusive design, clear access information, and partnerships with local and national access organisations.
The bid also looks forward – positioning Leith as a cultural gateway once again. Building on its working port and growing role in green energy, the programme connects industrial heritage with a sustainable future, supporting local makers, creative businesses and pathways into work across culture, events, hospitality and the screen industries.
If shortlisted, Leith is ready to move quickly into a development phase, formally establishing the partnership as a charitable delivery body and continuing deep engagement with communities to co-design the final programme.
Those behind the bid say the process itself is already having an impact:
“This bid has been built by the people of Leith, for Leith,” said a spokesperson for the partnership.
“It’s about confidence, connection, care for our place, and fun! – and about showing what culture can do when it’s led locally, shared widely, and rooted in everyday life. Leith has never stood still. In 2028, we hope to stand tall as the UK’s first Town of Culture.
“Share your passion and care for Leith by getting behind our bid on social media using the hashtag #Leith2028”
Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council Margaret Graham said: “This bid is about far more than recognition – it’s a celebration of Leith’s creativity, its rich heritage, and, above all, the people who make this community so special.
“From our historic waterfront to our thriving arts scene, this is an opportunity to reaffirm Leith’s place on the international stage.
“Reaching this point has been a true team effort, with incredible support from local organisations, community representatives, and residents. I hope everyone will get behind Leith as we make our case to become the next Town of Culture.”
Bob Last, CEO of FirstStage Studios commented:“The people of Leith are constantly seeking new ways forward built on its rich and complex history, it’s a town, a community, a home to diverse creativity, and crucially Leith is a unique attitude, where better to celebrate culture?”
“Leith is more than a town of culture. Leith is culture.” said Irvine Welsh as he put his name to Leith’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Hibernian FC Chief Executive, Dan Barnett added his support: “We are extremely proud to be part of the unique culture and heritage of Leith.
“The people and community of this historic port town have helped shape our identity for over 150 years and will continue to do so going forward.”
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said:“What an incredible opportunity this would be for Leith and for Leithers, old and new.
“It’s a chance to connect all of Leith’s creative spaces, talent and energy, working together to celebrate Leith’s growing culture and creativity in a meaningful and lasting way. Being a Town of Culture would provide a powerful springboard to galvanise the momentum, creating new possibilities and helping shape the next chapter of Leith’s cultural future.”
Andy Thomas, Acting Manager of The Citadel said:“The Citadel has supported generations of young Leithers for over 45 years. We’re proud to be supporting a bid to celebrate Leith’s unique culture and identity, both psst and present.
“The Town of Culture is a fantastic pportunity to bring all Leithers together and ensure that the benefits of cultural development reach everyone in the community.”
Gunnar Groves-Raines, architect and Director of GRAS said:“Leith is a town defined by cultural exchange, creativity and productivity. It is in the midst of an exceptionally exciting period of evolution, with an explosion of ambitious cultural activity matched by a highly engaged audience of residents and visitors.
“Designating Leith as Town of Culture would be a powerful catalyst – recognising this deep-rooted creativity and investing in its future as a civic, inclusive and outward-looking neighbourhood.”
Jed Milroy, Tinderbox Collective, said:“Leith’s strength has always been its people – a community that makes, shares and builds culture together, not just for audiences, but for each other.
“It’s a place where you can arrive as yourself and be welcomed as you are. Community arts education is keeping this spirit alive and nurturing it in the next generation of Leithers.”
Jenny Mungall, volunteer bid mobiliser, and director of JUMP said: “Leith’s got swagger, I call it Big Dock Energy. It’s a vibrant, creative, collaborative community, and we’ve seen all of that at every stage of putting this bid together.
“I hope that the people of Leith get the chance to shape an amazing programme in 2028 as the first UK Town of Culture, but whatever the outcome, we’ve got bags of ideas to celebrate culture and community and we’ll find a way to get some of them off the ground.”
Rod Jones, Idlewild guitarist, record producer and artist manager added: “I first moved to Leith around 20 years ago and was immediately taken by the community spirit and feel.
“Over these last 2 decades there has been a wealth of changes and growth with studios, venues, art spaces opening all over Leith and its become a cultural home to me and many more as well as my actual home. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Chitra Ramaswamy, author and journalist said: “I moved to Leith almost 20 years ago and have witnessed its many changes. My children were born here, and go to school here, and it’s the diversity, heritage, and open-hearted welcome of the place that has made me so proud to be a Leither.
“Again and again, as a writer, I return to Leith as deep inspiration – my first book opened on the Water of Leith. What has remained, in so many ways, when so much has changed, is the republic’s fiercely independent spirit, its commitment to grassroots community action, protection of its complex industrial heritage, and, above all, its people.”
Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports commented:“This is an incredibly exciting time for Leith. With the development of the Forth Green Freeport, the film studios, and new industries shaping the future economy, the area is at a pivotal moment – one where culture, industry and innovation go hand in hand.
“Becoming a Town of Culture would amplify that momentum, bringing together heritage and creativity to tell Leith’s story to the world.”
Nick Devison, Principal of Leith School of Art commented: “I have always been inspired by Leith’s independence, energy, and creativity. Leith School of Art stands at the very heart of this vibrant community and this bid is all the more significant for us as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2028.”
Bryony Knox, silversmith said: “Leith is the perfect spot to celebrate culture. I am a silversmith, with a business over 25 years old, based in studios with over 70 artists, right by the Water of Leith.
“I can think of at least 8 other sets of independent studios, with woodworkers, jewellers, ceramicists and painters within a 2 minute walk… Where else could boast that?
“It makes for a strong collaborative creative community, and I have chosen to live, bring up my children and run my silversmithing business from Leith because it’s the best place to be!”
Susie Gray, volunteer bid mobiliser and Executive Director of Premier Scotland, commented:“I am hugely lucky to work with some of the most recognised cultural organisations in the world, and still nothing beats coming home to Leith.
“It wears its heart on its sleeve. It believes in the power of a song. It’s wildly eclectic and endlessly inventive, a place where creativity belongs to everyone and is passionately shared. Having seen up close the impact of City of Culture on Hull, it’s exciting to see the programme broadened out to towns across the UK.
“Leith could do so much with the investment and opportunity that comes with an accolade like UK Town of Culture, it would be spectacular, and more people could discover its magic.”
On advice of His Majesty’s Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.
Their Majesties’ programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the UK and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
The King will continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty’s first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory.
Millions of motor finance customers will receive compensation this year under an FCA scheme for those treated unfairly by firms who broke the law by failing to disclose important information.
Consumers were denied the chance to seek a better deal and, in some instances, paid more for their loan.
The FCA has made several changes to the free to use scheme in response to conflicting feedback from consumers, their representatives, firms, manufacturers and industry bodies.
This ensures it is fair for consumers and proportionate for firms. The eligibility criteria have been tightened, average compensation increased for older agreements and a minimum 3% compensatory interest rate per annum added. Payouts will be capped in around 1 in 3 cases to ensure no one is put in a better position than had they been treated fairly.
12.1 million agreements made between 2007 and 2024 are now eligible for compensation, fewer than under the FCA’s original proposals. The average payout has increased to around £830 per agreement. The FCA estimates that 75% of eligible consumers will make a claim. If so, total redress paid would be £7.5bn.
Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: ‘We’ve listened to feedback to make sure the scheme is fair for consumers and proportionate for firms. It will put £7.5 billion back into people’s pockets.
‘Now we need everyone to get behind it and ensure millions get their money this year. Payouts should not be delayed any longer, especially as household bills come under greater pressure.
“Delivering compensation promptly also gives lenders the chance to rebuild trust, and means we can draw a line under the past and support a healthy motor finance market for the future.’
An industry-wide scheme is the most efficient way of compensating affected consumers while supporting the ongoing availability of competitively priced motor finance for millions who rely on it. Without such a scheme, the cost to lenders of dealing with complaints through the Ombudsman or courts is estimated to be over £6bn higher.
How the scheme will work
Motor finance loans taken out between 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 are covered.
There will be a short implementation period so firms can prepare. This will be up to:
30 June 2026 for loans taken out from 1 April 2014.
31 August 2026 for those agreed earlier.
Lenders will have 3 months from the end of the implementation period to inform complainants whether they’re owed compensation and how much. This means that people who have already complained or who complain before the end of the relevant implementation period will be compensated sooner.
Lenders will only contact people who haven’t complained if they are likely to be owed money. They have 6 months from the end of the relevant implementation period to do so. This avoids unnecessary and potentially confusing communication with people who won’t get compensation. Anyone not contacted has until 31 August 2027 to make a claim.
Claims for high value loans – amounts higher than 99.5% of other loans that year – are not covered by the scheme, which is designed for the mass market. These consumers can still complain to firms and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
People will only be compensated if they were not told clearly that either:
Their dealer or broker set the interest rate to earn more commission (using a discretionary commission arrangement – DCA).
The commission was high – at least 39% of the total cost of credit and 10% of the loan.
The dealer or broker was using one lender or gave one lender the right of first refusal, (a so-called tied arrangement), except where lenders can evidence that there were visible links with a manufacturer and franchised dealer. For example, where they shared a common or similar name.
There will be some exceptions, with cases considered fair, if:
The commission was £120 or less for agreements beginning before 1 April 2014 and £150 or less from that date. Commission amounts below those levels are unlikely to have influenced the broker’s behaviour or consumer’s decision.
The borrower wasn’t charged interest.
The DCA wasn’t used to earn discretionary commission.
The lender can prove, in certain limited circumstances, it was fair not to disclose one of the arrangements above or that the consumer did not suffer any loss. For example, if no better deal was available.
Where the commission was very high (50% of the total cost of credit and 22.5% of the loan) and another relevant factor of unfairness existed, consumers will receive the commission paid.
For most people compensation will be made up of 2 parts, the average of:
The commission paid; and
The estimated loss, based on a percentage discount of the interest (APR) they paid – 17% for cases from April 2014 and 21% for earlier agreements, to reflect greater loss then.
Consumers should not be put back in a better position than they would have been had they been treated fairly or than those who suffered the most unfairness, so in around 1 in 3 cases, compensation will be capped.
Interest will be paid on compensation, based on the annual average Bank of England base rate per year plus 1%, at a minimum of 3% in any year.
The FCA has established a dedicated supervisory team, led by a Director, to monitor if firms are meeting the scheme’s rules and act if they’re not. If people disagree with their firm’s decision, the Financial Ombudsman will be able to assess whether the scheme rules have been followed.
The FCA has also joined with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Information Commissioner’s Office and Advertising Standards Authority to launch a taskforce to tackle poor handling of motor finance claims by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms.
The taskforce is the latest measure by regulators to improve standards. The FCA has already removed or amended 800 misleading adverts, over 28,000 consumers have been able to exit contracts free of charge, and 3 CMCs reduced their high fees, protecting over 500,000 consumers.
Consumers can choose not to take part in the FCA’s compensation scheme and instead go to court, where they may get more or less compensation, based on the facts of their case. However, the outcome of a court claim is uncertain and accounting for legal fees they may pay, many consumers could end up with less. The FCA’s scheme is also likely to be faster and simpler.
Advice for motor finance customers
If you are concerned you were treated unfairly, make a complaint. People who complain before the relevant implementation period ends will be compensated sooner.
There is information on how to complain for free on the FCA website. There is no need to use a claims management company or law firm. If you do, you could lose over 30% of any money you get.
If you don’t complain and are owed money, your lender should contact you by end 2026 for post 1 April 2014 agreements and end February 2027 for agreements started between 6 April 2007 and 31 March 2014.
Watch out for scams. You can check you are dealing with your genuine lender using the contact details listed on the FCA website or through the FCA’s new motor finance scams helpline. You shouldn’t pay a fee to access compensation, or share sensitive details such as your PIN or online banking details.
Aidan Rushby, CEO and founder of car finance organisationCarmoola, said:“Millions of drivers could receive compensation after not being fully informed about how broker incentives affected the cost of their finance. The FCA has now confirmed a framework for putting that right.
“What matters now is whether drivers actually receive compensation quickly, clearly and without hassle.
“Redress must reflect genuine harm. But it must also be applied proportionately and consistently. Restoring confidence depends on delivering compensation clearly, consistently and as quickly as possible.
“Our research shows 73% of drivers say access to fair and affordable finance is crucial to owning a car, and 61% worry it could become harder to access. That balance is critical.
“We believe car finance should be simple to understand, transparent in how it works, and fair in how it treats people. Trust now has to be earned. That is a healthy shift for the market.”
