Supreme Court Rejects Chancellor Reeves Intervention in £44bn Motor Finance Case

The Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Monday by rejecting her attempt to intervene in a landmark case concerning the motor finance commission scandal, which threatens to saddle lenders with a £44bn compensation bill.

The Chancellor’s application, submitted last month, urged judges to prevent what she termed “windfall” compensation to borrowers affected by allegedly undisclosed commission payments to car dealers arranging loans. The market reaction was swift, with shares in major motor finance providers Lloyds and Close Brothers dropping 3.8% and 8.5% respectively following the announcement.

Reeves’ intervention came after intense pressure from lending institutions, who argued that substantial compensation payments could severely disrupt the motor finance market. The Chancellor strongly defended her position at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasising the potential impact on working families’ ability to purchase affordable vehicles.

The scandal stems from an October Court of Appeal ruling that dramatically expanded the scope of a Financial Conduct Authority investigation. The judgement deemed “secret” commission payments to car dealers unlawful when arranging loans without proper disclosure to borrowers. Industry experts suggest the total cost to lenders could rival the Payment Protection Insurance mis-selling scandal.

Shore Capital banking analyst Gary Greenwood described the failed intervention as “a disappointment to the market,” highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the case’s resolution. The Supreme Court also declined intervention attempts from consumer group Consumer Voice and the Financing and Leasing Association, while granting participation rights to the Financial Conduct Authority and the National Franchised Dealers Association.

The case’s full hearing is scheduled for 1-3 April, where Close Brothers and FirstRand will attempt to overturn the previous ruling. The outcome could fundamentally reshape the UK’s motor finance landscape and set precedents for commission disclosure practices across the financial services sector.