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The FCA’s 2026 Insurance Regulatory Priorities letter signals a sharp focus on distribution oversight, behavioural design and vulnerable customers. From friction in sales journeys to outsourced claims governance, firms are expected to demonstrate stronger control, clearer accountability and measurable consumer outcomes.

The FCA’s interim consumer research into the pure protection market highlights persistent gaps in understanding, engagement and perceptions of value, particularly in non-advised journeys. While no immediate action is required, the findings clearly signal the FCA’s direction of travel and raise important questions for firms around Consumer Duty outcomes, fair value assessments and distribution oversight as the market study progresses.

From January 2026, the UK will move to a single, centralised sanctions list. A major shift in the post-Brexit sanctions framework. Firms will need to update screening systems, policies, and contractual references to stay compliant. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how to prepare.

Underwriting evolution, technical expertise, digitalisation and regulatory influence are not separate themes. They are connected by a growing expectation that accountability is clear, demonstrable and built into how the market operates.

The FCA has published PS25/23 and confirmed a major expansion of COCON to non-banks from 1 September 2026. Non-financial misconduct is now firmly established as a regulatory concern, and firms will be expected to evidence fair, consistent and well-governed decision-making in practice.

In December 2025, the FCA published its Quarterly Consultation Paper No. 42 (CP25/24), proposing to decommission a number of regulatory returns submitted by general insurance intermediaries. While the proposals reduce duplicative reporting, firms will still be expected to maintain robust internal MI and governance to demonstrate fair value and good customer outcomes under the Consumer Duty.

In December 2025, the FCA published Consultation Paper CP25/37, setting out targeted proposals to simplify elements of the product governance framework for insurance and funeral plan providers. While framed as simplification, the proposals reinforce that expectations around value, oversight and customer outcomes under the Consumer Duty remain firmly in place.

The December 2025 Regulatory Initiatives Grid sets out a demanding regulatory agenda for UK insurers over the next two years. From Solvency II reporting and liquidity reforms to Consumer Duty simplification, stress testing and a new captive insurance regime, firms now have a clear window to assess priorities, Board MI and forward compliance planning.

The FCA has finalised a series of rule simplifications for insurers and intermediaries, offering new flexibilities across product governance, CPD, EL reporting and commercial client classification. But with greater freedom comes greater emphasis on judgement, documentation and Consumer Duty outcomes. Discover what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how firms can adopt the new model with confidence.