Regulation

Nearly all employers believe the GP fit note is ineffective with workplace sickness policies the answer, according to the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

From 30 April people who are able to get back into the workplace will get contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C)) for a maximum of 12 months.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) stance on simplified advice means members are unlikely to develop propositions in the area.

The number of complaints related to advising, selling and arranging rocketed from 647,000 in the first half of last year to almost 1.1 million in the second half, according to figures released by the FSA today.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has set its budget for 2012/3 at £191.1m, meaning both the case fee and total levy will be frozen for the third year running.

Proposed changes to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), opening up eligibility to more parties, are likely to lead to increased compensation costs and higher levies.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is readying at least one 'mega fine' in the next three months as figures show it raised significantly less than usual in the first quarter of 2012.

From December, life insurance policies will become the same for men and women. 
Rachel Dalton finds out what IFAs need to do to prepare for the change.

The Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA) is still hopeful of more amendments to the Financial Services Bill, including the reintroduction of a long-stop, after the legislation progressed through its latest stage.

The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 has received its royal assent and will come into force next year.