Viewpoint: Labour's regulatory record
When Labour swept into office in 1997 they arrived with a manifesto with much to say about financial services. They launched into their promised reforms of the institutions governing the sector, making the Bank of England independent for the first time since it was nationalised by Labour in 1946.
Next on the agenda was a single regulator to replace the numerous ones left by the Tories. This became the Financial Services Authority three years later. Social and financial exclusion were also a priority, although progress was harder. Individual Savings Accounts replaced Personal Equity Plans but became another way for the better off to save without paying too much tax.
Other reviews followed, not least that on generic advice under Aegon boss Otto Thoresen in 2007, the policy jargon having
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.insuranceage.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Regulation
Closing the UK’s access-to-justice gap
Sponsored blog: David Haynes, ARAG CEO, explains why access to justice matters, the role the insurance industry plays in extending it, and why 2026 could prove a critical year.
FCA proposes 1.4% fee rise for broker block
The Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on raising levies from brokers by 1.4% in 2026/27 – double its annual budget increase – as it also laid out its work programme going into the second year of its five-year strategy.
FOS and FCA reveal next steps for system reform
The Financial Ombudsman Service and Financial Conduct Authority have outlined the next steps on their joint work to modernise the redress system.
ManyPets confirms social media clone
Pet insurance managing general agent ManyPets has confirmed a customer was contacted by an X account impersonating its brand and has issued a warning on how increasingly convincing scammers can appear.
Aviva responds to Direct Line’s £10.6m fine
Aviva has confirmed it was fully aware of the ‘historical’ accounting errors that have led to the Prudent Regulation Authority hitting Direct Line Group with a £10.6m fine and stated there will be no impact on the integration or the financial benefits it expects from the takeover.
PRA fines Direct Line underwriter £10.6m
The Prudential Regulation Authority has fined UK Insurance Limited, a subsidiary and principal underwriter of Direct Line Group and now part of Aviva, £10.625m for a miscalculation of its Solvency II balance sheet during 2023 and 2024.
Chris Knight succeeds Brewis as FCA insurance director
The Financial Conduct Authority has recruited Chris Knight to take on the director of insurance role within its supervision, policy and competition division starting July 2026.
FCA way off target on insurance new firm authorisation service
New data and goals from the Financial Conduct Authority have revealed the regulator is far behind the target for authorising new insurance firms, with the level of service squarely in the red zone at 81.8%.