Plaid is launching Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) in beta in the UK, a payment instruction that allows automation of recurring future payments with one authentication, enabling consumers and merchants to control those payments. The launch aims to simplify online payments for individuals and businesses, particularly for companies like Expensify, which can automatically pull varying repayments from customers' business accounts to settle card balances. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has mandated VRP for sweeping use cases, such as moving funds between bank accounts held in one person's name, while Plaid believes extending VRP to other use cases could save UK businesses over £1.5 billion annually in payment processing fees by capping fees at 10 basis points. The low-cost nature of VRP holds significant potential for small businesses and individuals, particularly in the current economic climate where cost savings are crucial.