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Insolvency Service clamps down on bankrupt gamblers and speculators

The Insolvency Service is clamping down on individuals who have become bankrupt as a result of ‘gambling, speculation or unnecessary extravagance’.

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Brexit contingency planning alert

Banks, insurers and designated investment firms undertaking cross-border activities between the UK and the rest of the EU need to provide the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) with information on their Brexit contingency plans by 14 July.  

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VAT blow for cultural charities and public bodies

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has finally crushed hopes that more public bodies and charities engaged in cultural activities could claim VAT exemption on their admission charges. Its recent judgment in the VAT case of the British Film Institute (BFI), released in February, draws a line under an argument that has been running for the last four years.

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Time to tighten your anti-money laundering defences

By 26 June 2017, all European Union member states are required to have enacted the Fourth Money Laundering Directive (4MLD) into national law. 4MLD aims to give effect to the updated Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) standards. With this in mind Firms need to make sure their policies, procedures, systems and controls are up to scratch.

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The art of delegation: delegated authorities in the insurance sector

The regulators generally look at insurers and brokers who outsource via delegated authority with greater scrutiny, mainly because of the increased risk of weak oversight and control by the principal over the performance of products and delivery of services outsourced in this way. It is therefore crucial to have the right systems and controls in place, together with clear allocation of responsibilities.  

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How ready are you for MiFID II?

With an implementation date of 3 January 2018, the deadline for readying your firm for the required changes is rapidly approaching. However, in a recent Moore survey, it was found that only 7% of firms had started their implementation plans and more than half did not even have a plan in place yet to achieve timely compliance.   To aid firms in scope of MiFID II, this article highlights the key milestones you need to work towards over the coming nine months.

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End of tax year planning ideas

We have compiled a number of personal tax planning tips for you to consider before the tax year ends on 5 April 2017:  

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Brexit and the management of exchange rate fluctuations

One of the biggest challenges arising from Brexit is the management of exchange rate fluctuations.  For many owner managed businesses (OMBs) this can be something that they are not entirely comfortable with. 

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Interest rate rise would mean over 18,000 extra insolvencies by 2020

Government calculations have forecast an additional 18,000 people will go insolvent by 2020 should interest rates rise just 1%.

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What scope for corporate governance reform?

Could corporate governance in the UK be improved? If so, how? The Government is seeking opinions in its Green Paper on Corporate Governance Reform.

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1,800 UK hotel companies are at risk of going bust

The advantages of the fall in the value of sterling post-Brexit may not be able to overcome the other strong headwinds the sector faces, resulting in 1,800 UK hotel companies having at least a 30% chance of going insolvent within the next three years.

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MiFID II authorisations gateway

The FCA announced the opening of the MIFID II authorisations gateway on 30 January. It is thought that around 600 applications will be submitted over the coming months including new applications for authorisation of organised trading facilities, commodities dealers and data reporting service providers. Similarly, variations of permissions and notifications from existing firms that require a change of permission or passporting rights are expected.