The FCA has recently issued a reminder to firms about forthcoming changes to the UK telephone system.
The current analogue phone network (known as the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN) is starting to be switched off across the UK. It will be completely decommissioned by the end of 2025, migrating to a digital phone network, delivered through Voice over IP (VoIP).
This is a major change to the UK’s telecoms networks and will affect anything that currently plugs into existing analogue telephone wall sockets. Firms should be making plans to ensure there is no disruption to the services they provide.
Further information can be found here.



Pension Transfer charging
Alistair MacDougall Compliance abridged, FCA, P1, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, transfer
Policy Statement PS 20-06 stated that a firm providing pension transfer advice “… may also not charge less than it would charge for investment advice of the same value”. That seems clear enough, but the rule that gives effect to this statement is subtly different. COBS 19.1B.7 states: “A firm should not charge less […]