The Fairer Finance podcast

In this week's episode, consumer advocacy legend Mick McAteer stands in for Tim Hogg. We start with a discussion about changes to the Isa rules - including the new 22% tax charge on cash holdings in stocks and shares Isas. In the second half of the show, we move back to talk about the Financial Ombudsman Service reforms - raising fresh concerns about the proposed changes to the fair and reaso...

In this week's episode, we discuss the FCA's latest mortgage market consultation, which looks to relax the rules around interest-only mortgages, and open the door for more people to be able to borrow in retirement. In the second half of today's show, we discuss the findings from Fairer Finance's new research - The Retirement Compass - which looks to understand which groups of p...

In this week's episode we discuss the new Financial Services & Markets Bill which was recently laid in Parliament. It's a mish mash of different things - most of which have been well trailed. But there's a few last minute tweaks and additions - including an unexpected but welcome acceleration of the Consumer Credit Act reforms.  In the second half of this week's show, we di...

In this week's episode, we start by looking at three new reports into the pensions market - which focus on the lack of savings for many of those in mid life as well as the growing affordability problem with the UK state pension. One of the reports - from the Tony Blair Institute - includes the controversial recommendation that state pension ages should be personalised and linked to your healt...

In this week's episode, we look at the fast growing world of prediction markets - which have caught fire in the US over the past two years. While neither of the two big US players have launched in the UK yet - there are already plenty of UK markets to bet on, with UK investors getting access to the platforms using VPNs. The FCA included the market on its lists of perimeter risks earlier this...

In this week's episode, we take a look at the detail behind the FCA's motor finance redress scheme. With up to £7.5bn of compensation due to be paid out to customers, it's the biggest mass redress scheme since PPI. We discuss some of the complex decisions the regulator had to make in deciding how much customers were owed - as well as what the scheme tells us about the FCA's cur...

In this week's episode, we take a look at the latest detail from the Treasury and FCA around the reform of the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Treasury has confirmed it plans to impose a 10-year time bar on complaints, as well as give itself new powers to hire and fire the chair and chief Ombudsman of the FOS. It is also considering whether to exclude the Consumer Duty and other principles f...

In this week's episode, we take a look at the first of the FCA's new regulatory priority updates - which it plans to publish in each sector once a year. The first three to go live are insurance, consumer investments and pensions. We discuss what's in the documents - and whether these new publications will materially reduce the burden for industry compliance teams. In the second half...

In this week's episode, we start with a discussion about the FCA's latest proposals for the Credit Information market. These are the final stages of a market review that began almost seven years ago. We dive into the detail. In the second half of the show, we take a look at the draft Buy Now Pay Later rules which are due to come into force in July. With Consumer Credit Act reform continu...

In this special edition of the Fairer Finance podcast, we're delighted to be joined by chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, Nikhil Rathi. We have a wide ranging conversation with Nikhil, covering everything from the FCA's changing approach to rule-making and enforcement, through to its relationship with Treasury and the forthcoming motor finance redress scheme. Email us yo...

In this week's episode, we talk about the conclusions of the FCA's recent premium finance market study. Unusually, the final report recommends no market changes and side-steps some of the major problems in the market.  In the second half of the show, we discuss a new case against Apple which was recently filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The case is being brought by none other th...

In our latest episode, we start with a look at the interim report of the FCA's protection market study. Later in the show, we discuss Sheldon Mill's review into the impact of AI in financial services. And we wrap up with a look at the CMA's latest commitment to review and potentially scrap 60% of regulatory decisions.  Email us your questions and suggested topics for discussion to f...

In this week's episode, we start with a look at the latest pensions value for money proposals released by the FCA - which include a new RAG rating with two different shades of green. In the second half of the show, we look ahead to what is coming up across the rest of 2026, including making some predictions.  We also look back at how James got on with his 2025 predictions (spoiler alert - not...

In our last episode of 2025, we take a look at the FCA's response to the Which? super-complaint about home and travel insurance. While there's no market study, the FCA has committed to follow up with more work looking at the link between sales journeys and claims outcomes. We discuss the response in detail and what it means for the industry. In the second half of the show, we discuss the...

In this week's episode, we start by unpacking a number of new FCA papers designed to get more people investing. As well as simplifications to the disclosure rules, the FCA published a new discussion paper looking at how to change consumer attitudes towards investing. We also discuss the near final Targeted Support rules, published on the 11 December. In the second half of the show, we discuss...

In this special Budget edition of the podcast, we take a look at the headlines and relevant news for the financial services sector in this week's Budget.  After months of speculation about major changes to the Isa and pensions system - what changes were actually announced? As ever, Eve, James and Tim catch you up with their analysis.  Email us your questions and suggested topics for discussio...

In this week's episode, we take a look at the FCA's recent activity in the Contracts for Difference market. The regulator's review of the sector unveils some poor practice and sends a warning shot to the market. In the second half of the show, we take a look at new research from Fairer Finance focusing on hollowing out in the general insurance market. A number of pet insurers now ha...

In this week's episode, we take a look at the Government's new financial inclusion strategy. With recommendations to improve access to banking, credit and insurance - there are some initiatives to be welcomed, but the recommendations are fairly meek. In the second half of the show, we look at the FCA's recent multi-firm review focusing on consolidation in the financial advice sector...

In this week's episode, we look at how AI is being used in financial services and how it might involve in future. We follow the recent discussion between MPs and financial regulators on the topic in the House of Commons and talk about some of the risks as well as the opportunities.  Staying in Westminster, we take a brief look at the House of Lords Financial Regulation Committee - and its rec...

In this week's episode, we discuss the detail behind the FCA's proposed motor finance redress scheme. While millions of consumers could be in line for compensation, some consumers are unhappy with the design of the scheme. In the second half of the show, we look at the FCA's latest consumer duty updates, and it's work plan for the year ahead. With Buy Now Pay Later being brough...

In this week's episode, we start with a look at Which?'s super-complaint into the home and travel insurance markets. Fairer Finance supported Which? with its analysis, and shares its concerns. But it's likely to have gone down like a lead balloon at the FCA, where resources are stretched and management are being told to focus on the Treasury's pro-growth, deregulation agenda. I...

What's the Fairer Finance podcast about and who is it for?  Email us your questions and suggested topics for discussion to fairerfinance@fairerfinance.com

We're back from a summer break - starting season 2 with a look at the Supreme Court car finance ruling. We explore what it means for the industry and for consumers. In the second half of the show, we look back at the news stories from the past few weeks - including what the new Economic Secretary might mean for Government financial services policy. We also take a look forward to what's c...

This week, we are dedicating the whole episode to insurance. Last week, the FCA published a raft of papers around the general insurance market - from the premium finance market study interim report through to its review of the general insurance pricing practices remedies. We unpack what was in the FCA papers and what these might mean for industry and consumers. In the first half of the show, we di...

In this week's episode we discuss the Leeds reforms announced by the Chancellor on 15 July. These included more detail about reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service as well as significant changes to the Senior Managers & Certification Regime. There was also a hint of changes to the retail banking ringfence. We discuss what all this means for businesses and consumers. Email us your ques...