In a sharp rebuke of the government’s handling of the car finance scandal, Liberal Democrat MP Bobby Dean has accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of prioritizing the interests of the financial industry over those of consumers. Dean, a member of the influential Treasury committee, described Reeves’s efforts to intervene in the Supreme Court case as “unprecedented and disgraceful,” claiming they sent a “really bad message” to the public about the government’s allegiances.
Reeves’s controversial actions included an attempt to sway judges to limit compensation for borrowers, an intervention that was ultimately rejected by the court. While the Supreme Court later ruled in favor of lenders, largely protecting them from a potential £44 billion compensation bill, Dean’s criticism remains focused on the government’s proactive role in supporting the industry. He believes this behavior suggests the government is “too keen to demonstrate it is on the side of business,” at the expense of consumer protection.
The Chancellor’s moves were a direct response to a concerted lobbying campaign by the car loan industry. The Financing and Leasing Association (FLA) had warned the Treasury that a massive compensation payout, triggered by a previous Court of Appeal ruling, could lead to financial instability for some lenders and disrupt the credit market. City leaders also raised concerns that the legal uncertainty was hindering international investment in the UK.
However, Dean argues that such government intervention sets a dangerous precedent. He explained that if the potential for industry damage is used to justify limiting consumer redress, it could effectively undermine almost every consumer protection case. He stressed the importance of having strong redress systems in place, not only to hold companies accountable but also to build consumer confidence, which is vital for a healthy economy.