Wizard Learning CPD Updates – Monthly Snippets

This page provides snippets from each monthly CPD update so you can see a short example of what’s included. Full articles, assessments and accredited CPD hours are available to subscribers only. Learn more about our CPD system here, or purchase access.

New months are added to the top of this page.

This month’s CPD update includes 21 articles across all eight categories, giving advisers a concise overview of regulatory change, economic direction, client planning risks, and upcoming tax and compliance reforms.

Compliance

The FCA has launched a major consultation on how crypto-asset activity will be brought inside the existing UK regulatory framework, with proposals to apply Consumer Duty, SM&CR accountability, financial-crime controls, and “clear, fair and not misleading” promotions to crypto. New capital rules under PS25/14 aim to simplify MiFIDPRU for adviser firms from April 2026, with clearer definitions of own funds and a stronger link between financial resilience and Consumer Duty. The FCA also set out its targeted support model as a “future proof” framework to narrow the advice gap, encourage responsible AI use, and support consumers in areas like retail investing and pensions.

Economy

The IMF and OECD expect the UK to have the highest inflation in the G7 in 2025, putting pressure on real returns, drawdown timing, and affordability for clients. The Bank of England has signalled a more open stance on stablecoins, indicating they could become part of mainstream UK payments under a new regulated regime. This shift suggests closer cooperation between regulators and digital asset firms, and positions stablecoins as part of the broader UK financial system rather than something to be resisted.

Miscellaneous

Survey data across Europe shows the UK scoring strongly on perceived financial health, but also highlights high levels of debt stress and missed payments in the past year. Most respondents say financial health matters, but many still hold cash rather than invest and want more financial education. Separate research warns that Generation X is heading towards retirement with weaker pension provision than previous generations, with women particularly affected. Gen X is often squeezed between supporting ageing parents and adult children, delaying retirement saving and increasing the risk of poorer later-life outcomes.

Mortgages

Mortgage approvals hit their highest level of 2025 in September, driven by expectations of easing rates and improving affordability. Lenders have cut average fixed rates below 5% and activity has picked up ahead of possible Budget changes to property taxes. Nationwide’s ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage has seen a sharp jump in uptake, letting certain first-time buyers borrow up to six times income at high loan-to-value levels; advisers need to stress-test budgets and long-term resilience for these clients. Meanwhile, government proposals aim to simplify and speed up the home-buying process, including upfront property information, potential binding contracts, and a new Code of Practice for agents and conveyancers, with a full roadmap due in the new year.

Pensions

The Government’s latest State Pension Age review could accelerate future increases beyond age 66–67, raising urgent planning issues for clients now in their 50s and 60s. Advisers are being urged not to wait for the final decision but to model one- or two-year delays to State Pension income and document the assumptions under Consumer Duty. At the same time, proposed changes to how unused DC funds are treated for inheritance tax from April 2027, along with dashboard rollout and possible tweaks to tax relief, mean pension, estate, and drawdown strategies for higher earners may need to be rebalanced well before 2027. Research also shows a widening gap between desired retirement age (often 62) and expected retirement age (closer to 67), with many people no longer confident the State Pension will be available on current terms.

Protection

The FCA’s market study of life, critical illness, and income protection highlights that a handful of large insurers dominate new business and most sales still come through advisers. Claims volumes and payouts underline the social value of protection, but take-up remains low. Fewer than 10% of UK adults have income protection, despite many saying they’d struggle after three months with no earnings. The FCA is examining value, commission structures, and consumer outcomes, while industry debate around reforming unemployment support suggests a possible new unemployment insurance model that could offer time-limited, better-paid early support and save the government billions a year.

Savings & Investments

The FCA has proposed an overhaul of the UK’s short-selling rules, aiming to simplify reporting, raise thresholds, and stop naming individual short sellers publicly — a move intended to make UK markets more attractive and liquid. The Chancellor is also exploring a rule that would require a minimum allocation to UK shares within Stocks & Shares ISAs, to direct more domestic capital into UK markets. Advisers may need to explain how any such rule affects diversification and risk. A new adviser-facing comparison tool from FT Adviser and Compare the Platform is designed to make platform due diligence faster and more Consumer Duty friendly, letting advisers match cost and functionality to specific client needs across wrappers such as ISAs, LISAs, SIPPs, and bonds.

Taxation & Trusts

HMRC has widened and clarified Trust Registration Service (TRS) rules, including new exemptions for short-term or incidental trusts such as certain conveyancing arrangements, and confirmed key deadlines. Trusts created before 6 October 2020 that are still active must have accurate records in place by 31 January 2026, and new arrangements generally need to be registered within 90 days. Advisers are warned that HMRC will be more proactive in auditing compliance from 2026. Separately, speculation ahead of the Autumn Budget 2025 includes possible inheritance tax reform on gifting and lifetime transfers — potentially replacing multiple small allowances with a single higher threshold, revisiting Business Relief and Agricultural Relief, and tightening excluded property trust rules — all of which could reshape estate planning from 2026.

This page provides snippets only. Full articles, assessments and accredited CPD hours are available to subscribers of the Wizard Learning CPD system. To read the full content and complete the assessment for this update, please learn more about our CPD system or purchase access here. New monthly snippets are added to the top of this page.

This month’s CPD update includes 31 articles across all eight categories, giving advisers a concise overview of the key regulatory, market and tax developments shaping advice right now

Compliance

FCA and Fos coordination on redress for targeted support aims to give firms clearer complaint outcomes; the FCA calls for deeper industry–regulator partnership to combat increasingly sophisticated financial crime; non-financial misconduct becomes a formal compliance issue from 1 September 2026 under SM&CR reporting; aspects of Consumer Duty (value assessments, CASS, vulnerable customers, cross-border transparency) set for review in late 2025 with refinements from 2026

Economy

Financial services headcount and firm numbers fell in H1 2025, with mortgages and investments most affected; GDP was flat in July with mixed signals for rates and the autumn Budget; first rate cuts since 2021 begin to ease mortgage pressure and support a gradual housing market recovery, though affordability remains tight

Miscellaneous

Money Ready and RedStart join forces to expand financial education reach and impact; adviser academies grow, with SJP still largest while Quilter, M&G Wealth, Openwork and Benchmark scale up; Phoenix Group to rebrand as Standard Life in March 2026; seven workplace pension providers secure gold ratings as AI tools improve efficiency and member engagement; advisers should watch AI’s growing role in compliance monitoring; addressing digital exclusion remains essential under Consumer Duty

Mortgages

Average rents remain near record highs with regional variation; UK house prices hit a new peak with stability supported by rates and approvals; highest availability of 90–95% LTV mortgages since 2008 as product choice broadens and fixed rates edge down; RICS consults on an updated Home Survey Standard reflecting tech and consumer changes; Renters’ Rights Bill set to overhaul tenancies, evictions, rent rises and tenant protections with implications for buy-to-let

Pensions

Retirement confidence is rising but gaps persist by age, gender and income; DB scheme surpluses reach record highs ahead of new funding and investment strategy valuations; state pension projected to rise 4.7% in April 2026 with tax interactions from 2027; draft rules propose bringing some pensions into IHT scope with PRs primarily liable and new ‘scheme pays’ options; Pensions Dashboards connectivity progresses, creating engagement opportunities and data-quality risks

Protection

FCA regulation has boosted confidence and uptake in prepaid funeral plans amid market consolidation and ongoing need to distinguish from whole-of-life; the UK’s protection gap persists as income protection lags despite Consumer Duty and insurer innovation — advisers should position IP as the foundation of financial resilience

Savings & Investments

Younger investors show greater market appetite but lower confidence, highlighting advice and education needs; Treasury Committee urges a review of Lifetime Isa rules and clarity for UC interactions; ESG evolves toward ‘transition finance’ under SDR labelling, backing improvers alongside leaders; private markets edge into mainstream via packaged products and LTAFs, raising suitability, liquidity and fee considerations

Taxation & Trusts

SIPs vs CSOPs — contrasting all-employee share ownership with selective options, with important tax advantages and ‘good leaver’ rules; April 2025 offshore trust reforms shift to a residence-based regime, unwind many non-dom protections, introduce FIG/temporary repatriation facilities and reshape IHT/excluded property tests — advisers should review structures promptly

This month’s CPD update includes 31 articles across all eight categories, giving advisers the latest insights from across the financial services sector.

Compliance

FCA secures assets from fraudsters and sets out reforms to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.

Economy

Analysis covers pressure for potential tax rises, slowing GDP growth, and debate over quantitative easing windfalls.

Miscellaneous

Advisers gain from new mentorship programmes, with industry surveys highlighting demand for simplified financial advice.

Mortgages

Rental costs hit new highs, later life mortgages become mainstream, and the green mortgage market contracts.

Pensions

Contributions reach record levels, defined benefit surpluses grow, and major inheritance tax reforms for pensions are confirmed.

Protection

A record £8 billion was paid out in protection claims, while demand for IHT-focused life assurance has surged.

Savings & Investments

UK equities attract renewed interest, the first PISCES operator is approved, and gilt demand rises sharply.

Taxation & Trusts

More estates face inheritance tax bills, dividend taxpayers increase, and speculation grows over new CGT reforms.

To read the full articles and complete assessments for accredited CPD, please learn more about our CPD system or purchase access.