Protection

The protection businesses of Royal London, Bright Grey and Scottish Provident, saw a 23% increase in new business during 2012, an increase it attributes in large part to the gender directive.

Consumers are less likely to surrender on some life and pensions products if they were sold to them by an IFA, data collected by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) suggests.

Labour has challenged the health secretary's claims that the introduction of a cap on care fees would kick-start insurance solutions.

Friends Life is launching of a suite of online tools for advisers to assist them in advising clients on long term care solutions, particularly those receiving or about to receive care.

The government is due launch its "fully-funded solution" to the problem of how to pay for social care of the elderly.

The government is set to impose a £95,000 "stealth tax" on inheritance to help pay for care for the elderly, according to the Sunday Times.

Zurich is set to offer its protection proposition on its retail platform later in the year, to offer IFAs a complete holistic view of financial plans.

THE WINNER IS

Unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website, has announced the winners of its ninth annual Media Adviser Awards, sponsored by Standard Life. Here is the list of those who won and the runners up.

CHICKEN OR EGG?