The Growth Agenda: Asset Hoovering by Another Name

Why Deregulation Isn’t Growth—It’s Extraction, Repackaged “You can’t regulate for trust by dismantling the brakes.” In the wake of the Mansion House reforms, a familiar story is unfolding. The government’s so-called growth agenda is, in truth, a revival of the old Piscean order—an extractive financial system masquerading as economic progress. It’s not about real innovation … Continue reading The Growth Agenda: Asset Hoovering by Another Name →

🕴️ Who Is Sir Humphrey?

Exposing the Invisible Hand That Keeps the Status Quo in Place “Minister, the ship of state is the only ship that leaks from the top.”—Sir Humphrey Appleby, Yes Minister In the battle for financial reform, it’s not always the elected officials who block change—it’s the quiet, well-dressed figures in the background. The ones who never … Continue reading 🕴️ Who Is Sir Humphrey? →

🐷 Hands Off Our Pensions: Why Mandating Investment Isn’t Reform—It’s Raid

By Steve Conley | 9 July 2025 This week, Parliament debated the new Pension Schemes Bill—a bill that, if passed, would allow government ministers to direct how private pension funds are invested. It's being sold as a benign “backstop,” but to many in the profession, it looks less like reform and more like requisition. Bank … Continue reading 🐷 Hands Off Our Pensions: Why Mandating Investment Isn’t Reform—It’s Raid →

Last Nail in the Coffin – But for Whom?

Last Nail in the Coffin – But for Whom? “You can’t build a strong economy by hollowing out its people.” As we approach the next Mansion House Speech on July 15, the spotlight once again turns to the cosy relationship between government and City lobbyists. Behind closed doors, the so-called “growth agenda” will be showcased … Continue reading Last Nail in the Coffin – But for Whom? →

“Putting Profits Before People”: Lords Demand FOS Rollback to Serve the Growth Agenda

“Justice should never be an obstacle to growth. But neither should growth be a justification for erasing justice.” Yesterday’s report from the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee confirms what many of us have suspected: consumer advocacy is once again under threat—not by accident, but by design. In a sweeping call for reform, the … Continue reading “Putting Profits Before People”: Lords Demand FOS Rollback to Serve the Growth Agenda →

The Great Advice Divide: Why Boomers Delegate and Zillennials Demand Empowerment

💸 £5.5 trillion is about to walk out the door. That’s the estimated value of assets traditional advice firms could lose over the next decade as wealth transfers from Boomers to Zillennials. "The future doesn’t belong to those who manage wealth—it belongs to those who know how to grow it, use it, and share it … Continue reading The Great Advice Divide: Why Boomers Delegate and Zillennials Demand Empowerment →

Deregulation—Red Tape or Red Warning?

Your Money or Your Life? When trust is already broken, should we really be handing out scissors to cut the safety net? Today, a meeting is taking place behind closed doors at Downing Street—Chancellor Rachel Reeves and eight of the UK’s top regulators have gathered to “cut red tape” in a bid to kickstart growth. … Continue reading Deregulation—Red Tape or Red Warning? →

The Great Tax Injustice: Why Ordinary Citizens Pay While Corporations Play

While UK governments talk tough on tightening public finances, their actions tell a different story. In an era of crumbling infrastructure, spiralling inequality, and unprecedented pressure on public services, it is not the wealthiest who are shouldering the burden—but ordinary citizens. From austerity to stealth taxes, successive governments have steadily shifted the financial weight onto … Continue reading The Great Tax Injustice: Why Ordinary Citizens Pay While Corporations Play →

Trumped? What the FCA Just Told Us About the Future of Regulation

Let’s not beat around the bush: the FCA just blinked. In a quiet letter to the Treasury Select Committee, Britain’s top financial watchdog rolled back some of its biggest regulatory plans. "Name and shame" is out. Diversity and inclusion rules? Scrapped. Non-financial misconduct? Kicked down the road. If you were hoping for reform with bite, … Continue reading Trumped? What the FCA Just Told Us About the Future of Regulation →

Ministers Are the Biggest Asset Hooverers in Britain

And guess whose pensions they’re vacuuming up? Yours. It’s official. The people running the country have been taking notes from the investment sales industry. Step one? Consolidate as many pension pots as you can. Step two? Treat them like your own personal piggy bank. Step three? Dip into them to fund big-ticket infrastructure dreams—with zero … Continue reading Ministers Are the Biggest Asset Hooverers in Britain →