7 August 2026
FCA-style eight week final response planning date from 12 June 2026 is 7 August 2026. Always verify the relevant scheme or policy before relying on a deadline.
Important: This site is a planning aid, not legal advice. Deadlines can depend on facts, policy wording, jurisdiction, service rules, pauses, extensions and changing law. Always verify important deadlines with the official guidance or a qualified adviser.
How the complaint response deadline is calculated
The FCA-style 8 week deadline is a calendar period - it includes weekends and bank holidays. Count 8 weeks (56 days) from the date the organisation received your complaint. The 20 working day update uses UK working days - weekends and bank holidays are excluded. The NHS 6 month window uses calendar months from the date the complaint was received.
FCA complaint handling - DISP rules
The FCA's Dispute Resolution sourcebook (DISP) sets out how financial services firms must handle complaints. Key timelines: acknowledgement within 2 business days if the complaint is oral, a final response within 8 weeks, and an update at the 4-week mark if resolution will take longer. If you are not satisfied with the final response, you have 6 months to refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Working day update deadlines
The 20 working day intermediate update is used in some regulatory complaint schemes and by some FCA-regulated firms as a progress checkpoint. This is not the final deadline - it is a commitment to update you within 20 working days on the status of your complaint. Check the firm's complaint-handling policy or the applicable scheme rules.
Escalating when deadlines are missed
If a financial services firm misses the 8 week DISP deadline, you do not need to wait for its final response before escalating to FOS - you can refer immediately. For NHS complaints, after the local resolution process, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Keep records of all complaint correspondence with dates.
FAQs
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a planning aid only. Verify important deadlines with official guidance or professional advice.
Can I share the result?
Yes. The page updates the URL with your inputs so you can copy and share the link.
Are bank holidays included?
Where working-day logic applies, UK bank holidays listed in the calculator are excluded.