The Tories have stepped up their onslaught on Labour over social care, claiming that the Government was secretly planning to charge a £50,000 inheritance tax levy on people with estates of £500,000.

Adviser fee-blocks could be merged in the 2011/12 financial year, with potential cost implications for IFAs.

The amount of FSA funding paid for by IFAs will fall by 8% to £40.2m in the upcoming financial year.

The regulator has warned it will look to increase the financial penalties it charges to firms in breach of regulatory rules, its latest fee consultation has revealed.

European markets have been hit hard by news Greece will receive bailout cash to tackle its debt crisis.

European leaders have reached an agreement to bailout Greece, which is suffering from a huge debt crisis.

London trading got off to a strong start Thursday, following positive results for Rio Tinto and rumours Aviva could be the target of a buyout bid.

Financials and British Airways pushed the FTSE slightly higher this morning.

Hector Sants's three years as chief executive of the FSA must be among the most eventful of any regulator in history.

FSA chief executive Hector Sants will step down in the summer after three years in the role.