Two thirds (68%) of clients view advice as providing 'good' or 'excellent' value for money, a rise from 53% in 2022, according to a new report.

The increase underlines a growing appreciation of professional financial advice in an increasingly complex economic environment, according to Royal London’s 2025 Meaning of Value research.

Advisers are playing a crucial role in helping clients cut through market noise, the report says, with 97% of advisers saying they have had clients contact them about recent Budget speculation.

Jamie Jenkins, director of policy at Royal London, said: “It’s increasingly clear from this research series that people have firm views on what they value in the context of their Financial Planning, and that advisers remain front and centre of this equation.

“The speculation ahead of this year’s Budget has given rise to an enormous amount of uncertainty, and while most would agree that’s unhelpful, it has only added to people’s positive view of the value they receive from taking advice.”

Consumers were also viewing AI as more useful in managing personal finances.

Higher earners (with an income over £60,000) were the most likely to be using AI, with 55% now using it in some form to help manage their finances.

Royal London’s Meaning of Value research tracks the importance of trusted advice and the role of financial advisers with their clients. The research has been carried out in collaboration with the Langcat consultancy for three years.

• For the 2025 report, adviser research was conducted during September and October. The consumer research was carried out by Opinium between 3 and 13 October with 2,000 UK adults.