Google cloud failure hits millions, knocking UK banks and websites offline

A significant Google Cloud outage on October 20, 2026, caused widespread disruption across the United Kingdom, affecting numerous banking services and various websites. The incident stemmed from a "power event" within Google Cloud's London infrastructure, specifically impacting its europe-west2-b zone. This technical failure led to elevated errors and intermittent network issues across several Google Cloud services, including Compute Engine and Cloud Storage, commencing in the early morning hours BST.

Millions of users experienced difficulties accessing critical online services. Major UK banks such as Revolut, Lloyds Banking Group (including Halifax), and HSBC reported problems with online banking, card payments, ATM withdrawals, and transfers. Beyond financial institutions, the outage also impacted delivery services like Royal Mail and DPD, property platforms like Rightmove, and even the HM Courts and Tribunals Service, delaying remote hearings.

Google confirmed that the power event had been mitigated by the afternoon, with services gradually recovering for most customers. While the immediate disruption eased, the incident highlighted concerns among UK and EU regulators regarding the financial sector's increasing reliance on a limited number of external technology providers, particularly cloud services, for critical operations.