The IIGCC is concerned that the FCA’s proposals to simplify climate disclosures will actually reduce investor access to crucial climate data. The FCA wants to simplify the requirements so that investors can make...
Author - John Connor
John Connor
TheCityUK report on climate change risks to investment
TheCityUK has published a report that highlights how climate change is becoming a financial stability issue in certain market sectors, and that this is leaving a possible protection gap as some value is underinsured and...
FCA publishes findings from Transition Finance Pilot
The FCA has published its findings from the Transition Finance Pilot in which it looked at barriers to scaling finance for climate solutions. During the exercise, which also involved the PRA and the Green Finance...
UK Finance publishes growth plan
UK Finance has published its 9 point Plan for Growth to show how the financial services sector can help with delivery of the Government’s economic growth ambitions. The 9 point plan focuses on: reducing bank...
HMT feeds back on commercial credit data sharing
HM Treasury has published feedback on its consultation and call for evidence on commercial credit data sharing and the Bank Referral Scheme. The Government will be going ahead with its proposal to legislate to...
UK Private Capital reports on supporting the green transition
UK Private Capital has published a report on the role private capital plays in supporting the green transition. It notes that a monumental effort is needed to meet the net zero 2050 commitment, alongside tens of...
FCA calls for views on access to SME finance
The FCA is calling for views on how regulation can help SMEs access finance across debt, equity, hybrid and alternative finance markets. The regulator notes that at the start of 2025, SMEs accounted for around 60% of...
Government writes to Commons ahead of finalised UK SRS
The Department of Business & Trade wrote to the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee at the end of February to herald the imminent publication of the finalised UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, which...
Treasury publishes TCFD reporting good practice guide
HM Treasury has published guidance on good practice in preparing annual reports and account to deliver transparent climate disclosures that will help decision making. The guidance comes ahead of the last stage of the...
FCA updates on SDR labels
The FCA has published examples of good and poor practice on using labels under the SDR regime. The labels were introduced in July 2024, and the FCA has found gradual improvements as firms have become familiar with...
FCA consults on aligning sustainability disclosure requirements with international standards
The FCA is consulting on evolving its rules for listed companies’ sustainability disclosures to aligning with the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (SRS), which are themselves based on the International...
Committee private markets report concludes too many “unknown unknowns”
The Financial Services Regulation Committee has published a report following its inquiry into the growth of private markets in the UK. Private markets, mainly in the form of private equity funds and private credit funds...
ESG Ratings RAO changes made
The FSMA (Regulated Activities)(ESG Ratings) Order 2025 has introduced a new regulated activity in article 63U of the RAO of providing an ESG rating where that rating is likely to influence a decision to make an...
PRA updates policy on managing climate-related risks
The PRA has published its final policy on enhancing banks’ and insurers’ approaches to managing climate risks. The consultation had planned – among other things – to strengthen governance...
FCA speaks on transition finance
Alicia Kedzierski has spoken to the LMA conference on raising standards in sustainable lending. She said the FCA has seen improvements in the sustainability-linked loan market, but that we need to be clear on what...
Treasury consults on Bank Referral Scheme enhancements
Treasury is consulting on how it might enhance the Bank Referral Scheme, which started in 2014 and requires 9 major lenders to refer SMEs to whom they have refused to lend to a finance platform that can match the SME...
FCA pleased to move forward on ESG rating provider regulation
Following the Chancellor’s confirmation that the Government has finalised the legislation to bring ESG ratings providers within FSMA scope, the FCA says it can now consult on its proposed rules for relevant firms...
FCA speaks on the UK’s role in sustainable finance
Ashley Alder, FCA Chair, spoke at the Climate Financial Risk Forum Symposium, on the opportunities the UK offers to become the world’s sustainable finance centre. He spoke of the risks of climate change, and how...
Transition Finance Council consults on guidelines for funders
The Transition Finance Council is consulting on draft guidelines aimed at supporting capital allocation to transitioning entities across different asset classes and jurisdictions, with a focus on financing entities that...
FCA encouraged by sustainability-linked loans market progress
The FCA has published a letter in which it shares insights from its ongoing engagement with banks in the sustainability linked loans market. The FCA comments that SLLs can be a useful transition financing tool for...
UK Green Taxonomy not happening
The government has assessed the responses to its consultation on developing a UK Green Taxonomy and has concluded that it is not the best way to deliver the green transition and should not be part of the UK’s...
PRA consults on management of climate-related risks
The PRA is proposing updates to its Supervisory Statement 3/19 on how banks and insurers manage climate-related risks. The speed of climate change and the widespread adverse impact over recent years can directly affect...
TheCityUK reports on UK position in global climate financing markets
The City of London Corporation and the UK Carbon Markets Forum have published a report that highlights the strengths of the UK as a global leader in climate finance. The key factors that position the UK as a global...
FCA pleased with sustainability feedback
The FCA has published a summary of the feedback it received to its 2023 Discussion Paper on “finance for positive sustainable change“. Key themes from responses included: agreeing that it is important that...
EU Sustainable Finance advisory group suggests changes to Climate Delegated Act and taxonomy
The Platform on Sustainable Finance, which advises the European Commission, has published an independent report on advancing sustainable finance. The European Commission had asked it to: review and recommend any...
EU think tank proposes SME sustainable finance framework to encourage lending
EU advisory body the Platform on Sustainable Finance has proposed a streamlined, voluntary framework for financial institutions to classify loans or other types of financing provided to SMEs as sustainable finance. It...
Waiver? What Waiver?
In the recent case of Little & Another v Olympian Homes Ltd, guarantors successfully applied to set aside statutory demands in relation to non-payment under their guarantees by relying on an argument of a waiver by...