FSA to scale down consultation papers

clock

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is to produce fewer and more concise consultation papers in an attempt to better connect with firms.

Speaking at the Tax Incentivised Savings Association conference, head of asset management Ed Harley, who will also hold a similar position at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), admitted the FSA had been "not been as good as getting message across as we would have liked".

"One of the really important points about how regulation is going to change is that we want to be more open and accountable," he said. "We want to get out there to talk to firms."

The FCA would also attempt to show a "clear link" between the fees advisers paid and services they received in return, he added.

But according to a regulatory lawyer, the FCA will be run as a consumer champion and not for the benefit of member firms.

Simon Morris, a partner at CMS Cameron McKenna, said CEO designate Martin Wheatley would run the regulator primarily to avoid a "kicking" from politicians and the media.

"The FCA will be a very politically savvy regulator," he said. "It will win points by being seen as a consumer champion, not by being soft on firms."

More on Regulation

FCA publishes regulatory priorities for insurance

FCA publishes regulatory priorities for insurance

86% of consumers have at least one general insurance or pure protection product

Cameron Roberts
clock 24 February 2026 • 2 min read
IPT receipts hit £7.7bn in January 2026

IPT receipts hit £7.7bn in January 2026

£872m collected last month

Jaskeet Briah
clock 20 February 2026 • 2 min read
Rising IHT receipts hit £7.1bn

Rising IHT receipts hit £7.1bn

Experts note ‘fairly modest’ growth

Jen Frost
clock 20 February 2026 • 3 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read