Google Cloud outage disrupts UK banking and public services

A power-related incident at a Google Cloud data centre in the London area caused a significant service disruption on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The outage, which lasted approximately six to eight hours, impacted various sectors including finance, logistics, and public services.

Financial institutions such as Revolut, Lloyds Bank, and HSBC reported difficulties with digital services. Revolut specifically noted issues affecting card payments and ATM cash withdrawals, though the company stated that customer funds and personal information remained secure.

Beyond banking, the disruption affected Royal Mail, DPD, and Rightmove. The incident has prompted inquiries from the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the European Banking Authority, and Parliament’s Treasury Select Committee, highlighting the systemic risks associated with concentrating critical digital infrastructure within a limited number of cloud providers.