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As Sir Keir Starmer makes the cost of living a government priority, we unpack the impact on family finances.

Lee Castleton is taking legal action against his former employer over the Horizon IT scandal.

While TikTok's future in the US has been secured, questions remain about exactly what changes US users will see.

Grocery shopping with a couple who bought all their supplies yearly rather than weekly.

Heathrow says it has become the biggest airport to drop the limit after rolling out new high-tech scanners.

We urge consumers thinking of investing in high-risk securities, such as mini-bonds and loan notes, to continue to be cautious. On 19 January 2026, the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading regime came into force. The regime sets new rules and standards about when an offer of securities to the public can be made.A security is a financial instrument that represents some type of financial value (for example, shares, bonds and stock) that can be traded on a financial exchange.The types of securities within scope of this regime include transferable securities (such as shares on a stock exchange) as well as non-transferable debt securities (including mini-bonds and loan notes).

We are seeking views on further rules for cryptoasset firms as the final step in our consultations on our crypto rules. We have made significant progress in delivering our crypto roadmap and are helping firms to meet our standards and get ready for when the gateway opens in September 2026.We have set out our proposals on how the Consumer Duty, conduct standards, redress and safeguarding will apply to cryptoasset firms. We are also seeking feedback on our proposed approach to international cryptoasset firms.These proposals continue our progress towards an open, sustainable and competitive crypto market that people can trust. The Consumer Duty sets appropriate standards for crypto firms by ensuring they deliver good outcomes for customers while supporting them to navigate their financial lives. At the same time, risks remain, and we want a market where innovation can thrive, but where people understand the risks. But regulation can’t – and shouldn’t try – to get rid of all risk. We want those interested in investing in crypto to understand that risk.This consultation follows a package of proposals set out in December on how we intend to apply a similar approach to cryptoassets as we do in traditional finance, with clear information for consumers, proportionate requirements for firms and flexibility to support innovation. While we continue to develop our cryptoasset regime at pace following the publication of draft legislation by the Government, people should remember crypto is currently largely unregulated – except for financial promotions and financial crime purposes. We're consulting on:Consumer Duty – how the Duty will apply to cryptoasset firms, supported by additional non-Handbook guidance, so firms deliver good outcomes for retail customers.Redress and Dispute Resolution (DISP) – our approach to complaints handling and redress, ensuring consumers have clear routes to resolve issues.Conduct of Business Standards (COBS) – applying key conduct rules to cryptoasset activities, so firms act fairly and transparently.Credit for crypto purchases – rules on using credit to buy cryptoassets, to reduce risks of harm from borrowing to invest.Training and competence – standards for staff knowledge and skills, so firms have competent people managing crypto services.Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) – our approach to categorising cryptoasset firms under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.Regulatory reporting (SUP 16) – requirements for firms to report data to us, so we can monitor risks and supervise effectively.Cryptoasset safeguarding – applying safeguarding rules to firms conducting multiple regulated cryptoasset activities, and our proposed approach to custody of specified investment cryptoassets.Retail collateral treatment in cryptoasset borrowing – how retail consumers’ collateral should be treated when they borrow cryptoassets, to protect their interests.Location policy guidance – clarifying our expectations on where cryptoasset firms should be based, to ensure effective oversight.

Speech by Sheree Howard at the FCA's Gateway to growth, Chicago Booth London Conference Centre. The first time I flew was in my teenage years, and like many of my generation, that was a flight to Europe for a family holiday. I didn’t make it further afield until I was in my mid to late twenties.Today, most, if not all of us, would think of international travel as the norm – especially given the global nature of our business.It is amazing, therefore, to think that right around this time in 1970, the first jumbo jet with fare-paying passengers landed at Heathrow.That flight unlocked global travel to and from the UK on a new scale – and turned Heathrow into a gateway to the world for the majority.But with this expansion came a new issue. Airport security – the gateway into the country itself – had to be reimagined. It needed to keep pace and process passengers on a larger scale and at speed without sacrificing safety.At the FCA, we are in the same business, in a way. We protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the UK’s financial market.And our gateway is the airport security and passport control of financial services.High standards are non-negotiable.Market participants demand them, just like we do as passengers, and they will stay away if it is not there.But our gateway must not be a barrier to growth.We know that a thriving, competitive financial services market is the bedrock of a growing economy. Especially ours here in the UK.So, I wanted to start by emphasising that we are open for business, and welcome new applications - including those from overseas.We are here to support firms – and those who advise them – as they embark on their journey to authorisation.Much like airport security, the FCA gateway is evolving to meet today’s challenges: innovative business models, international competitiveness and new technology.We are working hard to handle the scale and complexity of the authorisations journey while maintaining high standards – without adding time and frustration.And, while I know that some in the room may have experienced lengthy assessments in the past, we are moving more quickly.

We have issued a joint statement with the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) giving clarity on open banking pricing models. We and the PSR have issued the following statement (PDF).This confirms we will not, at this stage, prioritise a Competition Act 1998 (CA98) investigation into the centralised ‘access fee’ pricing model being developed by the UK Payments Initiative (UKPI) for commercial Variable Recurring Payments (cVRPs). cVRPs are an emerging open banking technology that allow consumers to give trusted third parties secure, recurring access to manage payments on their behalf. They have the potential to offer consumers and businesses control and convenience, while enabling lower-cost, more flexible payment options for businesses.After engaging with the funders of the UKPI, we and the PSR worked at pace to clarify our enforcement position on the UKPI’s proposal for a commercial model and consulted with the CMA about our planned non-prioritisation statement given concurrency arrangements. The statement will give UKPI certainty to continue developing its cVRP product – including for certain regulated financial services, utilities and public sector payments – without delay. This supports our strategy to make cVRPs a reality, giving people more control over their payments and lower processing fees for businesses. On 15 January 2026, we and the PSR wrote to the CMA (PDF) to set out our position. On 16 January 2026, the CMA confirmed to us and the PSR that, based on the information available to it, it does not intend to take a different position on CA98 prioritisation to that of us and the PSR. The CMA is keen to ensure that businesses are not deterred from collaborating in ways that may be beneficial to consumers or the wider economy because of uncertainty about how competition law applies. Bridge to a long-term frameworkThis is a temporary measure ahead of the government’s anticipated legislative framework, expected by the end of 2026. It applies until that framework is in place or until July 2027, whichever comes first.During this period, we and the PSR will continue to:Monitor market developmentsReview any changes to the pricing methodology.Expect UKPI to submit its finalised governance documents. All 3 competition authorities – the FCA, PSR and CMA – may revise their prioritisation approach if new information emerges or if the expected legislative framework is not implemented by July 2027.

We have opened applications for the second cohort of our AI Live Testing service. AI Live Testing is the first of its kind in the financial sector to help firms who are ready to use AI in UK financial markets. Participating firms receive tailored support from our regulatory team and our technical partner Advai to develop, assess and deploy safe and responsible AI.The service helps firms to consider key questions around evaluating AI including governance, risk management and monitoring to help ensure that AI is deployed safely and responsibly for consumers and markets.Working with us through AI Live Testing also helps us better understand how AI could shape UK financial markets and inform our future approach to the technology.AI Live Testing complements our Supercharged Sandbox which helps firms who are in the discovery and experimentation phase with AI.How to apply Please complete an application form by 2 March 2026. We’ll notify successful firms by mid-March. Testing starts from April 2026. Download our Terms of Reference (PDF) for more details.If you have any questions about AI Live Testing, please contact us at: AILiveTesting@fca.org.uk.