Member

Turning to Amendment 36, the Government recognise and welcome the desire to avoid introducing unnecessary steps into the FOS’s casework process. The Government have publicly stated our intention to require the FCA to provide a response to the FOS within 30 days, in most circumstances. However, the Government consider that it is appropriate to set this requirement in secondary legislation to provide flexibility and ensure that the new process can be effectively operationalised. The FCA and the FOS are already trialling a version of the referral mechanism to learn lessons and ensure that, when fully implemented, it works effectively in providing clarity for the FOS while not leading to significant delays in its casework.