UK Government Reviews Franchising Laws After Vodafone Allegations

The Department for Business and Trade has commissioned two reports to review the policing of the franchising sector to determine if new laws are required to protect franchisees from power imbalances with large corporations. This government action follows a Guardian investigation into the death of Adrian Howe, a former Vodafone employee who died by suicide before opening a franchise, and reports from other franchisees claiming that commission cuts caused severe debt and mental health crises.

Vodafone recently settled a high court claim with 62 former franchisees in July 2026 without admitting liability. The company rejects suggestions that it put partners under undue pressure and has described comparisons to the Post Office Horizon scandal as wholly inappropriate. Meanwhile, the family of Adrian Howe continues to lobby for the creation of Adrian's law to regulate the sector.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged in January to review laws governing franchising agreements. As part of this effort, the government is working with the British Franchise Association on a domestic market study and has engaged the Centre of Economic Policy Research to analyze international franchising models. Lord Leong now manages the franchising portfolio as Minister for Small Business and Enterprise.