All United Kingdom articles
-
ArticleU.K. government scraps long-awaited audit reforms to prioritize growth
Long-awaited reforms to the U.K. audit regime have been “scrapped” from the government’s legislative plans. The decision has led to an outburst of disappointment and frustration from audit bodies and pension funds that argued the reforms would increase trust in companies and support growth.
-
ArticleU.S. sees steep drop in penalties in 2025, while fines elsewhere increase
Firms worldwide got a break in 2025 on penalties for anti-money laundering (AML) failures, a new report has found.
-
ArticleU.K. regulators move to curb AI nudification tools as scrutiny of Grok grows
The U.K. government’s spat with Big Tech owner Elon Musk over the more risque capabilities of X’s AI assistant Grok has exposed more cracks than the chatbot was ever meant to.
-
OpinionExperts outline core skills compliance teams need to develop in 2026
Compliance teams will face a range of ongoing challenges in the coming year, as well as greater demands from boards and management for better, wider, and more real-time assurance on an increasing range of risk topics.
-
ArticleEU vows to reform financial single market rules to unlock growth and boost investment
Financial markets thrive on consistent rules across the widest markets. This is the thinking behind the European Commission’s package of measures intended to simplify and streamline the zone’s single market for financial services.
-
ArticleTech and compliance 2026: What to watch for in AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing
What will be the critical tech issues for compliance in 2026? We asked experts what tech, digital, and cyber issues they believe compliance teams should be focusing on in the year ahead.
-
ArticleTop of mind compliance topics in 2026: Finance, immigration, supply chains and sustainability
What will you be doing in the coming year? We asked experts in a range of sectors to gaze into their crystal balls and highlight one legal development or compliance topic that will be critical for compliance teams in 2026. This is an edited version of what they told us.
-
ArticleU.K. sets out strategy to combat bribery and corruption
The U.K. is introducing tougher safeguards and compliance checks in its latest drive to cut down on financial crime and stem the flow of dirty money that continues to be laundered by British businesses, facilitated by accountants and lawyers.
-
ArticleFCA indicates path for future crypto regulation
The U.K.’s financial regulator has proposed a set of rules to regulate the growing crypto industry after recognising that consumers are interested in exploring the market despite persistent warnings about price volatility, the high-risk of losses, and investment scams.
-
ArticleCompliance told to focus on reality as Euro courts brace for slew of greenwashing cases
In 2025, the regulatory focus on greenwashing intensified globally. This trend is set to accelerate in 2026, and compliance has a key part to play in ensuring corporate statements are honest.
-
ArticleSFO guidance on evaluating compliance programs short on specifics, experts say
Companies looking for greater certainty about how they might avoid criminal prosecution for bribery, fraud, and corruption offences may find they’re going to be disappointed if they’re looking for definitive answers in the latest guidance from the U.K.’s main fraud investigator, say experts.
-
ArticleWhat 2025’s AI mishaps should teach compliance in 2026
If 2025 was the year generative AI took off in organizations in every sector, it was also the year we saw increasing examples of the risks of AI mishaps.
-
ArticleRetail energy compliance must focus on resilience and reporting
Cybercrime and national critical infrastructure responsibilities are key concerns for retail energy sector compliance. Resilience is vital for companies that keep the lights on and power financial institutions and hospitals.
-
ArticleSFO sharpens framework for judging compliance programs in bribery and fraud cases
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has updated its guidance about how it evaluates corporate compliance programs when considering whether to prosecute or offer leniency to companies that have breached bribery and corruption laws.
-
ArticlePharma sector boom puts pressure on compliance to counter financial crime
Regulation is a matter of life and death in the pharmaceutical industry. Rules to combat practices that can kill have been in force for decades, but tech developments are rapidly creating new risks and focusing lawmakers’ attention on areas where some compliance teams may lack experience.
-
PremiumU.K. data regulator pushes transparency on investigations
Plans to increase transparency around how the U.K.’s Information Commissioner investigates and fines companies should give businesses more clarity, but experts say the regulator still needs to explain how it will prioritize cases.
-
ArticleU.K. asset managers to focus on investor engagement outcomes under new reporting guidance
Asset managers reporting under the U.K.’s updated Stewardship Code starting Jan 1 should focus on engagement outcomes and evidence of impact. New guidance from the U.K. financial regulator offers case studies and checklists to support compliance.
-
ArticleNew regulatory regimes for U.K. and EU ESG ratings firms could increase compliance costs
Environmental ratings are becoming big business as companies seek proof of sustainable and socially beneficial conduct. Firms that issue ratings on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance are set to be regulated in the EU and U.K.
-
ArticleFRC’s plans for more flexible enforcement gains support
Plans to give the U.K.’s audit regulator more options to regulate firms for sloppy work have been largely well received by experts, who believe the current system is “inflexible,” “cumbersome,” and “slow.”
-
ArticleU.K. Cyber Security and Resilience bill set to regulate critical infrastructure suppliers
Suppliers to the U.K. critical infrastructure will face new regulations to ensure they are protected from cyberattacks. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, introduced on November 12, also raises penalties for breaches and expands regulator powers to label certain suppliers as critical.