News/Regulation
Regulators outline changes to help streamline SM&CR compliance
Brokers should see reduced costs and greater flexibility, following changes made to senior managers and certification regime announced today by the UK's joint financial services regulators.
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…
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%.
FCA sets four targets in its inaugural regulatory priorities report
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued its first regulatory priorities report for insurance as it switches away from penning portfolio letters.
Further increase in FCA insurance S166s
The Financial Conduct Authority hit the insurance sector with three skilled person reports in the third quarter, taking the running total for the financial year to six.
Customer empowerment levels rising, says Aviva’s Storah
Aviva has seen an “increasing level of empowerment” among customers as the usage of artificial intelligence for research rises, according to Jason Storah, CEO of GI at the insurer.
FCA calls on insurance companies to “engage early and often”
There are no new market wide interventions needed to drive positive progress, according to Sarah Pritchard, deputy CEO at the Financial Conduct Authority, as she called on the industry to engage.
No price cap or zero interest order plans from FCA on premium finance
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed it will not introduce a price cap or order that premium finance is provided without interest, as it published its final report.
FCA launches AI review with Sheldon Mills at the helm
Sheldon Mills, formerly of the Financial Conduct Authority, is set to lead an FCA review into the implications of advanced AI on consumers, retail financial markets and regulators.
Biba pitches industry wide fair value assessment templates
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has targeted further regulatory rule simplification in its 2026 Manifesto, as it urged industry wide support of developing a fair value assessment template, and called on the government to deliver a new…
Manifesto 2026: Biba calls for new Financial Services Bill
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched its 2026 Manifesto titled ‘Economic Resilience’, calling on the government to introduce a new Financial Services Bill in early 2026.
No FCA insurance sector fines in 2025
The insurance industry went through the last calendar year without being hit with any financial penalties by the Financial Conduct Authority.
FCA’s home and travel super-complaint response triggers praise and warnings from experts
Industry specialists have praised the clarity and transparency of the Financial Conduct Authority’s response to the Which? super-complaint about the ‘broken’ home and travel insurance markets but warned the actions may not “get to grips” with “growing…
FCA commits to expanded work in response to Which? super-complaint
The Financial Conduct Authority has promised to do more work on improving claims handling and consumer understanding of cover in light of Which? hitting the watchdog with a super-complaint about the ‘broken’ home and travel insurance markets.
Experts underwhelmed by FCA insurance rules simplification
Market specialists have given a lukewarm welcome to the Financial Conduct Authority’s changes to the insurance rule book, flagging missed opportunities, disappointments and branding the outcome as unlikely to get pulses racing.
FCA confirms insurance rules simplification
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed changes to simplify its rules for brokers and insurers including ongoing training and product reviews and revealed further plans for next year.