MPs slam FCA's 'draconian and opaque' email deletion plans

Policy said to present 'inevitable, illogical and irrational risks'

Linus Uhlig
clock • 2 min read

Leaked plans from the Financial Conduct Authority to automatically delete employees’ emails after 12 months would threaten the transparency and accountability of the financial regulator, an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has warned.

In a letter from the APPG on Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Services to the chair of the Treasury Committee Meg Hillier, the group of cross-party MPs said "the FCA's planned automatic deletion of emails presents inevitable, illogical and irrational risks to its performance and accountability".  The politicians added they "cannot think of any other statutory body that employs such a Draconian and opaque policy in respect of its email correspondence", and that the proposed changes would "make the FCA a noticeable outlier, deviating from established good governance standards".  In...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

The FCA's consolidator review was long overdue, but nowhere near enough

The FCA's consolidator review was long overdue, but nowhere near enough

That it took the FCA so long to launch a review 'still seems a mystery'

Justin Cash
clock 04 November 2025 • 4 min read
FCA sounds alarm over finfluencers targeting retail investors with risky CFD options

FCA sounds alarm over finfluencers targeting retail investors with risky CFD options

Some using 'high-pressure techniques'

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock 31 October 2025 • 1 min read
FCA complaints: Pensions and investment gripes on the rise

FCA complaints: Pensions and investment gripes on the rise

Total number of financial services complaints hits 1.85 million

Jenna Brown
clock 23 October 2025 • 1 min read