The changes, which came into force on 15 July, mean lenders must carry out affordability checks before offering buy now pay later (BNPL) products, provide clearer information about repayments and give customers more support if they get into financial difficulty.

Customers will also be able to take complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service if they are unhappy with how a regulated provider has handled their agreement.

The FCA said the changes are designed to give consumers greater protection while allowing people to continue using short-term, interest-free credit responsibly.

A spokesperson for the FCA said: “Buy now pay later can be a form of credit, but people deserve to be protected when using it.

“Lenders should check their customers can afford to pay it back.”

The spokesperson said millions of customers will receive clearer information before signing up “and better support if something goes wrong”.

What has changed?

Under the new rules, buy now pay later providers must:

• carry out proportionate affordability checks
• provide clear information about repayments before customers sign up
• explain what happens if payments are missed
• offer support to customers experiencing financial difficulties
• direct people to free debt advice where appropriate
• allow eligible complaints to be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service

Warning. Overdrafts are the worst form of mainstream debt. The interest rate will shock you…

A snip from the new ‘Debt cost cutting Masterclass: Cards, Loans, Overdrafts, BNPL’ episode of the Martin Lewis Podcast. Listen to it on https://t.co/P4U5KDLzT0, Apple, Spotify & all… pic.twitter.com/4Tkkm0Ssd9

— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) January 9, 2026

The new rules also mean some buy now pay later borrowing may appear on credit reports and could be considered by lenders when people apply for other forms of borrowing.

Could it affect your credit score?

BNPL agreements may now be reported to credit reference agencies.

That means lenders could take them into account when considering applications for loans, credit cards or mortgages.

Dimitar Lazarov, head of Credit Karma UK, said people who repay on time could benefit, but warned those who miss payments should be aware that “it could have an impact on their ability to apply for other products”.

John Webb, head of consumer affairs at Experian UK and Ireland, said consumers should remember that opening a new BNPL account “may be taken into account on credit reports by lenders when they are considering new borrowing applications such as a loan, credit card or mortgage”.

Why were the rules introduced?

Buy now pay later has become increasingly popular because it allows shoppers to spread payments without paying interest.

However, consumer groups have raised concerns that some people have accumulated several BNPL agreements without fully considering whether they could afford the repayments.

According to the FCA, the market was worth more than £13 billion in 2024.

Its Financial Lives Survey found around 10.9 million UK adults used buy now pay later during the year to May 2024.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at AJ Bell, said: “Most payments using BNPL are relatively small.

“The Woolard Review, done by the FCA in 2021, showed that people often didn’t think of it as borrowing either.

“A combination of both things means borrowers don’t consider affordability as carefully as they would for other kinds of debt.

“It means a real risk of stacking these debts until they’re unwieldy. The rules requiring stricter affordability checks are highly sensible.”

She added the extra checks “should help people stop and think about whether they really need the item they’re buying”.

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Where can you get help?

If you’re struggling with buy now pay later repayments, experts recommend contacting your provider as soon as possible rather than taking on more borrowing.

Free debt advice is available from organisations including:

• StepChange Debt Charity
• Citizens Advice
• National Debtline
• Christians Against Poverty

Vikki Brownridge, chief executive at StepChange Debt Charity, said: “There’s no doubt that BNPL can be a useful form of credit – especially as it’s usually short-term and interest-free – to spread the cost of a bulky expense.

“However, as with any form of credit, regulation is vital to protect customers if something goes wrong, and ensure people aren’t being offered credit where it’s not affordable – something which will trigger debt problems, as we see all too often.

“Consumers can go on using BNPL in the same way as before, but it’s important to be aware of the new protections.

“If you are finding yourself struggling to keep up with payments, rather than taking on more credit or BNPL agreements, we would always advise seeking free and impartial debt advice to help get back on track.”

The motoring adventure series, originally fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, has been rebooted with a new line-up following the trio’s departure in 2024.

The refreshed show will now be hosted by trainspotter and internet personality Francis Bourgeois, alongside James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, creators of the popular YouTube channel Throttle House.

A release date for the return of The Grand Tour has now been confirmed.

The Grand Tour to return with new hosts as release date confirmed

Amazon said that the new series promises everything fans love about The Grand Tour – “big adventures, questionable car choices, and plenty of laughs”.

Teasing what is coming up in this series, they said that the team will drive the Angolan desert in track cars, explore Malaysia’s vibrant car culture, head to California to test cutting-edge performance cars, as well as challenge fighter pilots and even an entire nation’s legal system.

Bourgeois said: “Since completing the filming of the series, I haven’t stopped replaying every moment in my head.

“It has made me laugh, made my heart race, and my stomach turn… remembering the tent I shared with Thomas and James filled with sulphuric farts whilst Angolan jackals snooped around outside.”

Holland said: “I figured someone would be there to hold our hand the whole time.

“Nope.

“We were on our own in some absolutely wild environments in very, VERY questionable cars.”

A teaser video from Prime Video even revealed that Jeremy Clarkson himself gave the new line-up his blessing.

Reviewing Bourgeois’ CV, Clarkson said: “He’s the train man from the internet,” before stamping it with “approved.”

All six episodes of the new series will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video from September 4.

Why did Clarkson, Hammond and May leave The Grand Tour?

The Grand Tour originally launched in 2016 following Clarkson, Hammond, and May’s exit from Top Gear.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond were the original hosts of The Grand Tour (Image: PA)

The show initially followed a format similar to Top Gear, including car reviews and timed laps, motoring challenges and races, studio segments, and celebrity guests.

After the conclusion of the third series, the format was changed to focus on producing special motoring films for future series, with individual episodes released at select intervals.

The final episode featuring Clarkson, Hammond, and May as presenters was released in September 2024.

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Clarkson, Hammond and May ended the 22-year-long partnership between the trio.

They chose to leave The Grand Tour because they felt they had exhausted all possibilities in the car-show genre.

They also spoke of the exhausting physical demands of their adventures, their advancing age, and a lack of personal interest in electric cars.

Will you watch the new series of The Grand Tour? Let us know in the comments.

Last year, about 5,000 music fans headed to Dyers Hill, Charlbury in west Oxfordshire over two days for music, food and beer.

The Riverside Festival is back this weekend for a special anniversary celebration.

READ MORE: Thatched village pub is up for sale

One of the directors of the event last year said they had “some amazing performances” including reformed bands like Rock of Travolta and the Samurai Seven”.

A Riverside Festival visitor in 2025 (Image: Ed Nix)

Director Fergus McVey said at the time: “Both had amazing reunions and blew the crowd away.”

The festival started out small and has grown to host about 60 acts during the weekend over five stages.

The Samurai Seven, DB Band, The Standard, Knights of Mentis, The Mighty Redox and Unbelievable Truth are among the bands performing this weekend.

Phil Freizinger, who plays guitar and flute with The Mighty Redox, said the festival was “the highlight of the year for many bands, not just us”.

He added: “We don’t get paid and we don’t expect it – I think we would feel slightly insulted if they paid us.

“Any money the festival does make goes to local good causes. We do get given a few beer tokens along the way.

“The festival is a community event – it’s not on the make and it’s open to everyone – families can come in and relax and stay for as long as they want.

“Riverside has an amazing atmosphere – it’s a miracle and wonder of Oxfordshire music.”

Phil’s band have been recording their seventh album and will be playing some songs from the new release at the festival on Sunday.

The group’s Sweet Zombie Horse musical will also be performed at around 1pm in the fringe tent.

The festival said in a statement: “Of course, people come, love it and bring their friends next year. Bands play and love it and bring more bands next year, and so Riverside – and Charlbury itself – grows organically.

“Our dedication to focussing – for one weekend at least – on the fact you can choose something else is one of the things, like Beer Festival and the Cricket Club, Street Fair and Gigs at The Shed that makes Charlbury different.

“Over it’s 30 years it’s become a cornerstone of Charlbury life bringing joy, excitement and perhaps a tiny touch of minimal mayhem to the Mill Field for 2 days in July.”

The Riverside Festival in Charlbury in 2025 (Image: Ed Nix)

Festival organisers added: “For those that don’t know, or have managed to miss one of us banging on about it in the Rose and Crown, Riverside is a free festival, we don’t charge, no one gets paid and everyone helps.

“There are crews of organisers, four crews looking after each stage, a Greenfield crew, a kids’ area team, stewards and bar stewards. Everyone is a volunteer, which is why we can do this for nothing.

“But of course the first among these equals are the bands, entertainers, speakers and crafters who actually make the show. There’s a lot to see; five stages, food stalls, craft demos and this year a lecture tent with some amazing people talking about everything form local ecology to managing international rock tours.

The Riverside Festival in Charlbury (Image: Ed Nix)

“Riverside is different, we certainly beg, borrow and appeal – but we don’t (and never will) demand. This is entertainment by Charlbury, for Charlbury – but our hinterland is huge.

“With Unbelievable Truth, Samurai 7, Beaker and DB Band showing up to make clear why we’ve been around so long – plus around 40 other up-and-coming bands delivering indie, folk, electronica, rock and, perhaps, some roll throughout the weekend.”

A guitarist at Riverside Festival (Image: Ed Nix)

Music fans are being encouraged to bring a wide variety of different flags to this year’s festival.

Riverside is a voluntary festival, meaning that while some commercial obligations get paid, the vast majority of set-up, stewarding and administration is done by volunteers.

Riverside remains free, but due to increased running costs this year – including staging, security, and infrastructure – it needs to raise additional funds.

The festival’s Green Field is now in its 10th year and has consistently expanded year on year, bringing green ideas and crafts to young and old.

To help celebrate the 30th anniversary the festival has added the new addition of the Green Room, where green ideas and interesting stories will be shared with the crowds in a space for green discussion and stories.

There will be a diverse array of topics from solar power and bioacoustics to the future of regenerative farming or how to manage a heavy metal band for 40 years.