Watchdog to scrap barriers to lure ‘ordinary’ investors

A RAFT of new measures are to be rolled out by the Financial Conduct Authority to "move the dial on risk", and ramp up investment from consumers by making it far simpler and clearer.

- By Mauricio Alencar

The City regulator laid out plans yesterday to allow firms to make the process more "engaging". They include axing complicated legal jargon. Consultations will also be held to get the views of consumer groups and investment firms.

The move comes as City giants prepare to launch a campaign to get people to put more of their cash into stocks and shares ISAs, with a cut to the cash ISA limit being part of a wider push to back UK-listed companies.

The government has also pushed to boost capital markets, offering newly listed firms a three-year holiday from stamp duty on shares.