The government’s planned controversial probate fee reform could be a new stealth tax on bigger estates, a Financial Planning expert has warned.

The CISI is encouraging consumers to seek free Financial Planning sessions from qualified Financial Planners as part of its annual Financial Planning Week 2017 campaign which will take place during the week beginning 8 May.

Trainee Cara Gilbert, 19, from Ayrshire, has recently become the youngest person in the country to complete the Diploma in Financial Planning from the Personal Finance Society.

Platform provider Transact has launched a Lifetime ISA from today to add to its existing flexible ISAs and JISAs. It is one of a number of providers to launch LISAs although many banks have remained lukewarm on launching their own LISA.

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment has award six CISI Honorary Fellowships to eminent figures in the financial services sector, including Paul Etheridge, founder of cashflow modelling software firm Prestwood.

The Treasury will drastically reduce the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) from £10,000 to £4,000 from today (6 April 2017), the start of the new tax year despite strong opposition from Financial Planners and the industry.

Standard Life is using adviser feedback to determine new investment plans and improvements for its Elevate platform, which it acquired from AXA Wealth.

The introduction of the pension freedoms two years ago has resulted in profound changes to retirement planning with the number of people consulting a Financial Planner or financial adviser doubling in two years, according to new research.

The much-anticipated Pensions Dashboard, which will give consumers a single place to view all their pension savings, will move a step closer next week as developers compete to build potential applications during FinTech Week.

HM Revenue and Customs has launched a new merged fraud hotline for the public to report fraud and tax evasion, including undisclosed offshore investments.