Regulation
-
EU parliament reduces corporate reporting rules
EU Parliament votes to reduce sustainability reporting and due diligence. The European Parliament has voted to significantly reduce coverage under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, eliminating the requirement for companies to prepare climate transition plans….
-
Keir Starmer courts business leaders pre-budget
UK business leaders meet at Downing Street amid budget concerns. Executives from major firms joined Sir Keir Starmer to discuss impending fiscal challenges. The session aimed to ease tensions before a budget expected to introduce significant tax increases.
-
Firms overcomplicate Consumer Duty rules, FCA says
FCA warns firms against excessive compliance with Consumer Duty rules. The financial watchdog aims to simplify compliance, addressing concerns about regulatory burden and cost. The FCA seeks to clarify expectations and improve flexibility, ensuring businesses do not overinterpret requirements.
-
US escalates lobbying against EU’s digital services law
US diplomats mount formal campaign against the EU’s digital law. A confidential directive from Washington has instructed American diplomats in Europe to push for changes to the Digital Services Act, arguing the rules burden US tech companies and threaten free speech. European authorities are standing firm as regulatory tensions grow.
-
UK leaders establish worldwide benchmark for AI evaluations
The UK introduces a new AI audit standard. The British Standards Institution has launched the world’s first international certification standard for AI assurance, creating new benchmarks for independence, rigour, and global governance.
-
Thames Water crisis prompts Ofwat replacement
Ofwat faces replacement amid scrutiny of water companies’ performance. A new regulator may be announced following a review by Sir Jon Cunliffe. Pollution incidents have risen sharply, with Thames Water accounting for nearly half of serious cases.
-
UK tightens steel import rules from July
UK introduces new steel safeguard measures from July 2025. The UK government has announced strengthened steel import safeguards, reducing quota liberalisation and implementing caps to protect domestic producers from redirected foreign imports in response to US tariffs.
-
FCA sets out new ‘targeted support’ advice model
The FCA has proposed a major reform to investment guidance. A new ‘targeted support’ category would let firms give low-cost prompts to consumers without breaching advice rules, aiming to address a gap that leaves millions without affordable help.
-
SMEs alarmed by Companies House rule
New Companies House rules will impact small UK businesses. Small firms must disclose financial data and use commercial software, raising concerns about costs and competitiveness. The government aims to enhance corporate transparency, but critics fear unintended consequences for the sector.
-
Survey: Tariff fears and AI strain reshape C-suite
UK executives face record stress levels. New Icertis research shows tariffs, regulatory shifts, and the scramble to keep pace with AI are placing UK C-suites under mounting pressure — with nearly 90% expecting tariffs to dent the bottom line, and four in five struggling to assess AI investment impact.