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Inside the K-beauty industry that has made South Korea a major player in worldwide beauty market.

A rally on the first trading day of the new year has taken London's main share index through the milestone.

The BBC has seen several examples of it undressing women and putting them in sexual situations without their consent.

Good Shepherd supports people all year round but the work is "even more important" in winter.

It marks the first time the Chinese firm has outpaced its American rival for annual sales.

The FCA has opened an enforcement investigation into The Claims Protection Agency Limited (TCPA) following concerns about its advertising and sales tactics in relation to potential motor finance claims. The FCA is investigating what customers were told about the amount of redress they might obtain, whether they were told they could make a claim for free, and whether they were pressurised to sign up.Announcing the investigation allows TCPA customers to consider their options.The FCA has not reached any conclusions on whether TCPA breached any regulatory requirements.Notes to editorsThe FCA notified TCPA of its intention to announce that it had opened an enforcement investigation on 1 September 2025. The firm applied to judicially review the FCA's decision to announce the investigation on 8 September 2025. The High Court dismissed the firm’s application on 23 October 2025, and the firm was refused permission to appeal by the Court of Appeal on 19 December 2025. The High Court’s judgment was released in two parts on 23 October 2025 and 2 January 2026.Customers signed up with claims managers who have concerns or issues can make a complaint to the firm. If they’re not happy with the response, they can make a complaint to the Claims Management Ombudsman or Legal Ombudsman if they are signed up with a law firm. Customers wishing to cancel an agreement with a claims manager or law firm should check whether they have the right to do so under their contract and for any potential exit fees.TCPA has used/uses a number of trading names, including: My Claim Group, Martin’s Tips, Karen’s Claims, Express PCP, and The PCP Guys.TCPA advertises for motor finance claims and refers potential claimants to law firms for representation services.TCPA applied to the FCA for a Voluntary Requirements Application (VREQ), effective from 12 August 2025. As part of the VREQ, TCPA was required to stop onboarding new customers, stop publishing new financial promotions and withdraw all existing financial promotions.The FCA's enforcement guide sets out its policy on publicising investigations, stating that “the FCA will not normally make public the fact that it is or is not investigating…” but may do so in exceptional circumstances.The FCA considers that the exceptional circumstances test has been met in relation to this announcement, as it is desirable to maintain public confidence in the UK financial system or the market, protect consumers or investors, prevent widespread malpractice, and maintain the smooth operation of the market.In July 2025, the FCA issued a joint statement with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and sent a letter to claims management companies (CMCs) setting out some concerns.The FCA's increased proactive monitoring has led to the removal or amendment of more than 740 misleading adverts by FCA regulated CMCs since January 2024.In October 2025, the FCA published its consultation paper on a proposed motor finance consumer redress scheme (CP25/27) for motor finance customers who were treated unfairly. The consultation closed on 12 December 2025: CP25/27: webpage. The FCA expects to publish final rules in either February or March 2026.

On 21 November 2025, Michael Pettifer Insurance Brokers Limited, trading as MPI Brokers, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation. Robert Cooksey of Bridgestones Limited has been appointed as liquidator. MPI Brokers was authorised and regulated by the FCA to sell and arrange insurance policies. The firm specialised in travel insurance.If you need to contact the liquidator, please contact Bridgestones using the details below:Email: mail@bridgestones.co.ukIn writing: MPI Brokers (In Liquidation) c/o Bridgestones Limited, 2 Cromwell Court, Oldham, OL1 1ETTelephone: 0161 785 3700

A growing number of investment schemes are being promoted unlawfully, are high risk and may even be scams. We've identified a growing number of investment schemes in holiday lodges and holiday homes being promoted to UK consumers by companies that are not FCA authorised.They may be unregulated collective investment schemes, where several investors invest their money. The schemes are being promoted unlawfully, are high risk and may even be scams. We remind consumers that if you invest in an unauthorised company, you're unlikely to be protected if things go wrong. For example, you're unlikely to be able to take a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service or make a claim through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.Before investing, use the FCA Firm Checker to make sure a firm is authorised and has our permission to provide the services you're looking for.Find out more about unregulated collective investment schemes.

The FCA has removed all regulatory permissions from Verus Financial Services Limited requiring it to stop conducting all regulated activities and imposed a more stringent assets restriction. The action follows concerns that the firm has repeatedly breached an existing asset restriction, which prevented it from selling, transferring or diminishing its assets without our approval. It also failed to comply with a Financial Ombudsman Service decision. We issued a First Supervisory Notice (PDF) on 27 October 2025, which outlines further details about our concerns and the basis for imposing the restrictions:Asset restriction breach – the firm has, by its own admission, repeatedly and deliberately breached an asset restriction the firm agreed to on 7 September 2023.Unpaid Financial Ombudsman Award – the firm has failed to comply with a decision by the Financial Ombudsman made against the firm and in favour of a customer contrary to DISP 3.7.12.1R, and Principle 6 (Customer’s interest).Uncooperative – the firm has not been open and cooperative with us.The firm must not conduct regulated activity and can no longer act as an independent financial adviser or provide financial advice. Customers should seek to find a new financial adviser – there is information on finding an adviser on the MoneyHelper website. There is no direct correlation between the restrictions imposed on the firm and the performance of underlying investments arranged by the firm.The FCA has also issued a consumer warning about a connected unauthorised firm, Verus Estates Limited.

People could find it easier to pay using contactless, thanks to greater flexibility and the removal of red tape by the FCA. Banks and payment providers with strong fraud controls will be able to set their own limit for contactless payments, allowing them to better respond to changing consumer demands, inflation and new technology. They are also being encouraged to let customers set their own limit, or turn contactless off altogether, as many high street banks already do. People are using contactless as the go-to way to pay. Research by Barclays found that almost 95% of all eligible in-store card transactions were contactless in 2024.Banks and payment providers must have strong fraud controls when processing contactless transactions. The greater flexibility will incentivise firms to step up their fraud prevention, giving consumers greater protection and peace of mind.Crucially, existing consumer protections remain in place. Consumers must be reimbursed in unauthorised fraud cases, such as if their card is lost or stolen.David Geale, executive director of payments and digital finance at the FCA, said:'Contactless is people’s favoured way to pay. We want to make sure our rules provide flexibility for the future, and choice for both firms and consumers.'Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: 'Making life easier for consumers is a positive for any hospitality and high street business, and I'm pleased the FCA is bringing forward this change.'Contactless has increasingly become the preferred payment method of choice for many people and lifting the limit can mean quicker and easier experiences for consumers. While many people still prefer to use cash or chip and PIN, this change adds much-needed flexibility for providers and consumers.'The new standards follow a public discussion and consultation around contactless payments, and how to make paying more convenient for consumers, while supporting growth. This work is one of around 50 measures that the regulator outlined in a letter to the Prime Minister in January to support economic growth and prioritise digital solutions.The rule changes take effect in March 2026, after which it will be up to firms if and when they take up the greater flexibility to change any contactless limits. Those that do, will need to communicate the changes clearly to their customers.Notes to editorsRead the Notice.In line with the Consumer Duty,firmswillneed to communicate any contactless limit changes to consumers.Based on industry feedback, the FCA understands that most banks and payment service providers are likely tomaintaintheir existing contactless limits for theforeseeable future, even after the changes come in.The FCA enables a fair and thriving financial services market for the good of consumers and the economy. Find out more about the FCA.