As the new Prime Minister made ruthless changes to her cabinet, Ros Altmann understandably made the decision to quit her role as pensions minister on the premise that "short-term political considerations, exacerbated by the EU referendum, have inhibited good policy-making". The Department for Work and Pensions has welcomed Watford MP Richard Harrington as Ms Altmann’s replacement and his job title will be ‘Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Pensions’. This is the lowest

Last week the independent regulatory body known as The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its annual report for 2015/2016. The FCA is funded entirely by the financial services firms it regulates. As a matter of course, the financial services sector scrutinised the 129 page report. The top priority was not only to analyse how wisely their significant financial contributions to the regulator had been spent, but also to get a better understanding of how effectively th

Outside influences impacting our economy continue to reap havoc with investments and pensions. Individuals must be poised, ready, if necessary, to amend personal finance plans to minimise any potential shortfall. The UK’s bitter divorce from the European Union (EU) is expected to take at least 2 years and until new trade deals are agreed and markets are stabilised, the UK economy will remain in flux. Pensions are no stranger to enduring measurable periods of instability and

The people of the UK have voted to leave the European Union (EU). The margin of victory for the ‘Leave’ camp was narrow, at 51.9% to 48.1%, but the turn-out of 72% was high by the standards of recent General Elections. The UK will be the first member to leave the Union and economics aside, the conflicting opinions of EU leaders on how this bitter divorce should take shape, is a clear indication that the UK’s Exit from the European Union will by no means be quick simple or eas

Last week the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a Financial Advice Market Review (FAMR) working group to deliver on three specific projects before the close of 2016. The group is compiled of 15 financial services experts from consumer organisations, different types of product providers and advisers. Eight of these experts were part of the original FAMR team which will report to the regulator’s board and Harriet Baldwin, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, after com