The number of active FCA-authorised firms has dropped by 3.7% over the past six months to 75,213 - down 7% year on year, with M&A activity driving much of the consolidation.

The rise in popularity of Vanguard’s LifeStrategy 60% Equity multi-asset investment solution with advisers in 2023 challenges the myth that the old fashioned 60/40 strategy has had its day after a tough 2022, according to a new report.

The Information Commissioner’s Office, the data regulator, has warned the UK’s top websites to reform their ‘cookie’ policies.

The Financial Conduct Authority has fined financial data provider Equifax Ltd £11.164m for cyber-security failures which exposed the records of 13.8 consumers.