The Financial Ombudsman Service has expanded its remit to include more small business and claims management companies, so called ‘ambulance chasers’.

The new jurisdiction over SMEs and ambulance chasers was backed by Caroline Wayman, chief ombudsman and chief executive of FOS.

Commenting on SME’s she said: “Every year we help thousands of small businesses get fair answers to complaints about financial services.

“Around 200,000 more small businesses will be able to bring their complaints to the ombudsman service.

“We’re looking forward to this opportunity to help more businesses get fair resolution to these disputes.”

Now the Claims Management Ombudsman, a Financial Ombudsman Service, is responsible for resolving complaints about claims management companies (CMCs).

In relation to CMCs, Ms Wayman said she was “looking forward” to helping consumers get a “fair resolution to their disputes”.

She added: “The ombudsman service will be able to look at complaints against all regulated CMCs, which includes those which bring claims about financial services as well as those operating in the personal and criminal injury, housing disrepair, specified benefit and employment sectors.”