
Long‑term asset funds (LTAFs) became eligible for Stocks & Shares and Junior ISAs on 6 April, expanding retail access to private‑market investments. The UK LTAF market now holds about £7.3 bn in assets, up from £5 bn in June 2025, with an additional £3.1 bn of committed capital. Roughly 25 strategies focus on private multi‑asset, debt, and smaller allocations to equity, infrastructure and property. While institutional ownership dominates, the ISA change is expected to stimulate retail demand, though platform readiness and investor education remain obstacles.

The Chartered Insurance Institute’s new Road to Consumer Trust report flags the industry’s “labelling problem” – advisers avoid recording client vulnerability because it triggers extra compliance steps. CII proposes a proportionate, practical approach that aligns FCA Consumer Duty expectations with...

Targeted support is a regulated middle‑ground service that bridges free guidance and full personalised advice, allowing firms to address groups of clients with similar financial needs. The FCA’s new gateway, launched in March, requires firms to document group definitions, demonstrate...