UK Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy

In mid-July 2025, the UK Government published the Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy. This followed on from the Call for Evidence, published in November 2024, which AREF submitted a response to.

Within the Strategy can be found:

• The Government’s commitment to streamline the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations, bringing forward the next phase of this work in early 2026.

• Confirmation that the Long Term Asset Fund will be able to be held in the Stocks & Shares ISA from April 2026.

• Acknowledgement that the tax system has a vital role to play in supporting the Government’s growth mission and the tax regimes that affect the financial services sector will be kept under review.

• Confirmation that the Government will continue to work with industry to identify further opportunities to enhance access and optimise mutual benefits with other jurisdictions.

AREF's Public Policy Committee is monitoring the output from the Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy.

Author

Jacqui Bungay

Head of Policy, AREF

Jacqui provides policy guidance and secretariat services to AREF’s Board and Management Committee as well as many of AREF's committees and working groups.

Jacqui joined AREF in 2014 after working for over 25 years in fund compliance, client relationships and administration in the trustee and depositary sector.