The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says around 12.1 million agreements could be eligible for payouts, with drivers receiving an average of £829 each under a £7.5 billion redress programme.

Lewis described the move as “unprecedented”, warning that people who delay could lose out or face long waits for compensation.

“You want to be in the group that’s complained, not the group where the lender is having to find you,” he said.

Why Martin Lewis says you must act now

Lewis stressed there are three key reasons to submit a complaint as soon as possible:

1. Faster payouts: “You’re likely to be paid out far more quickly sometime in 2026 rather than 2027.”
2. Missing records risk: “The lender may no longer have your details you will be far better off if you complain.”
3. Outdated personal details: “You might have changed name moved address three times so it could be unable to track you.”

He added that millions have already taken action: “We’ve had 3.6 million complaints most people tell me it’s dead easy.”

Who can claim compensation

The scheme covers car finance agreements taken out between April 2007 and November 2024, including:

• PCP Personal Contract Purchase
• HP Hire Purchase

But it excludes leasing agreements and some low commission deals.

The FCA estimates around 35 percent of agreements were mis-sold, often due to hidden commission structures such as discretionary commission arrangements, which were banned in 2021.

FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi said the scheme aims to balance fairness and speed: “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.”

He added: “Payouts should not be delayed any longer, especially as household bills come under greater pressure.”

Why payouts have increased

While the average payout has increased to £829, the overall compensation pot has dropped from earlier estimates due to:

• Fewer eligible claims now estimated at 12.1 million
• Stricter rules on low commission deals
• Assumptions that fewer people will claim

Martin Lewis says the most important step is simple make a complaint even if you are unsure: “The only way you can know if you were mis-sold is to complain.”

He also warned that relying on lenders to contact you could leave you waiting longer or missing out entirely.

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When payouts will happen

• Some payments could begin this year
• Most claims expected to be settled by the end of 2027
• Earlier complaints likely to be processed first

With billions set to be returned to drivers, this is one of the largest consumer compensation schemes ever seen in the UK.

But as Martin Lewis makes clear, those who act first are likely to benefit most: “You want to complain now.”

The bins will be for food and garden waste, paper and card, dry recyclables such as glass, metal and plastics, and general non-recyclable rubbish.

In some areas, paper and card may still be collected with other dry recyclables, reducing the number of bins to three.

Ministers say this will provide different local authorities with the flexibility to deliver services that work best for their communities.

From 31 March 2026, bin collections across England will change.

The goal is good: more recycling, less landfill.
The risk is real: more bins, new rules, new schedules.

Simpler in theory. Overwhelming in practice.

This account is here for one thing: less confusion at home.

— Bintime | Bin-day reminders (@Bintimeapp) March 1, 2026

New rules in England mean up to 4 bins in use for households

Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: “We are ending the bin collections postcode lottery and making it easier for people to recycle wherever they live.

“Simplifying these rules will cut out carbon, clean up our streets, and help bring pride back into our communities.

“We will continue to work hand-in-hand with local areas to deliver these changes and ensure there’s more recycled content in the products we buy.”

The new system is part of the government’s wider efforts to build a circular economy, keeping resources in use longer and reducing waste.

Previously, local authorities set their own rules around bin types and what materials could be collected, leading to a patchwork of different systems across the country.

The government now aims to standardise collections to ensure more high-quality material can be processed domestically for reuse by manufacturers to make new products.

Officials say the changes could also cut carbon emissions by reducing the amount of rubbish that gets burned.

To help councils roll out the new scheme, the government has provided £340 million in funding.

Can you get fined for putting bins out early?

How to check your local bin rules

To support some local authorities with area-specific delivery challenges, the government said additional support will be provided, such as agreed transitional arrangements, allowing a later implementation date.

Households can check how and when the new rules will apply in their area by visiting the government’s website.

Enter your postcode to check the rules for your area.

More than £78 billion has been allocated to councils in England for this financial year, including funding for introducing weekly food waste collections for all households.

The government has introduced an extended producer responsibility scheme, which requires packaging producers to cover the costs of recycling or waste management.

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Deposit return scheme coming to supermarkets in 2027

It also plans to launch a deposit return scheme in 2027.

This will see shoppers pay a small deposit when buying drinks in plastic bottles or metal cans, which they will receive back when returning the empty containers to retailers.

What do you think about the new bin rules in England? Let us know in the comments.

Uma Ali Sheikh has been named and shamed by the government in a new list published by the government department.

Information is published by the agency when a person or business has made at least one deliberate default on more than £25,000, according to HMRC.

The list is updated every three months before the information is removed after a year.

READ MORE: Fears 20mph limits are ‘not being enforced properly’

Uma Ali Sheikh was investigated by HMRC and charged a penalty for either deliberate errors in his tax returns or a deliberate failure to notify a liability to tax.

The 50-year-old is listed as being a landlord based at Apt 4604, The Torch Tower, Al Sharta Street, Dubai Marina in Dubai.

HMRC says that between April 6, 2014 and April 5, 2019, he did not pay £261,252 worth of tax.

He subsequently paid a penalty worth £137,333.77.

His nationality is listed on Companies House as being British, meaning he is an expat.