Complaints to the Financial Ombudsman soared by over 50% during the past year to top 305,000 - driven in large part by claims from professional representatives, including claims management companies.

Close to two thirds (61%) of complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service about advisers are related to advice suitability, according to a new study.

The number of complaints received by the Financial Ombudsman Service climbed by 49% in the second half of 2024.

The number of complaints received by the Financial Ombudsman Service climbed by more than 50% in the last three months.

The percentage of professional complaints about pensions and annuities to the Financial Ombudsman Service - including from claims management companies -  showed a surprise fall in the latest quarterly period, in marked contrast to a surge in professional complaints overall.