Financial services firms expected to dump green finance and DEI June 18, 2025 The financial services industry is taking a dramatic step back from green finance and diversity policies. Over half of UK senior financial professionals believe their leadership will place less focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in the coming years. Meanwhile, a similar proportion, 54 per cent, believe diversity, equality and inclusion commitments will [...]
Was Reeves’ Spending Review a fintech endorsement? June 14, 2025 Rachel Reeves has promised to back UK fintech and in Labour’s inaugural Spending Review, she piled billions into the tech sector. The Chancellor handed the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) a hefty £16.5bn budget as she took the chop to other departments. DSIT’s expenditure limit is set to grow 7.4 per cent by [...]
UK dominates European investment appeal despite drop in activity June 9, 2025 The UK has continued to storm ahead of its European rivals as the region’s most attractive destination for financial services investment, despite a sharp drop in activity. The UK recorded 73 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2024, a steep 32 per cent drop from 108 the previous year, according to EY’s latest Attractiveness Survey for [...]
UK fintech: Can Britain’s booming sector conquer Europe and the US? June 1, 2025 UK fintechs have transformed the British banking landscape – and firms are fixing their eyes on international endeavours. Top names ballooned profits and customers bases over the last year whilst picking up a fleet of accolades. London-based Allica Bank was dubbed the UK’s fastest growing private company by The Times Hundred and Europe’s fastest growing start-up by Sifted. [...]
Saga CEO’s pay nears £2m as losses widen May 20, 2025 The chief executive of Saga, the insurance, travel and financial services giant, took home almost £2m for its latest financial year, it has been revealed. Mike Hazell has received a pay packet of almost £1.9m for the London-listed group’s year to 31 January, 2025, according to its annual report – his first full year in [...]
Reeves must provide ‘more stable’ tax policy, finance bosses say May 20, 2025 Rachel Reeves is facing pressure to provide a “clearer, more stable tax environment,” when she delivers her growth strategy in July. The Chancellor is once again in the spotlight after a damning report from finance bosses indicated the industry was prepped to support growth ambitions, but structural barriers were holding them back. Top players in [...]
‘Investment magnet’ financial services injected £281bn in UK economy May 15, 2025 Financial services injected £281bn into the UK economy and accounted for around 2.5m jobs, according to a new industry-led report. The sector, which is an essential component of business in the Square Mile and manages trillions of pounds in assets, has had to steer through several rocky years of Brexit negotiations, a pandemic and tariff [...]
UK financial services can still drive growth in a volatile world May 9, 2025 Geopolitical turmoil is threatening the resilience of UK financial services, but we don't need to sacrifice growth to protect them, writes KPMG's Karim Haji.
Reeves unveils new crypto rules as she promises to back UK fintech April 29, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to back UK fintech as she unveiled new crypto rules during a landmark address to industry executives on Tuesday. Speaking at Innovate Finance’s 11th global fintech summit, Reeves pledged to support growth and consumers through new “clear” outlines for digital assets. The fresh crypto legislation follows on from the Treasury’s launch [...]
Saga: Cruise demand drives double-digit profit increase April 9, 2025 Saga, the financial services and travel provider for over-50s, has reported profit ahead of market expectations, driven by demand for cruises. The company told markets this morning that underlying profit before tax for the year ended January 31 was £47.8m, up 25 per cent year on year. Revenue for the year was £588.3m, up four [...]