2018 Press releases

Latest news

Breathing space scheme eases pressure for all of us

Becky O'Connor, personal finance specialist at Royal London, comments on the Government announcement of a new 60-day "breathing space" scheme to begin in 2021 for those with problem debt.

Quicker action needed ‘against those who are not doing a proper job’ on DB transfer advice

Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London, comments on today's update from the FCA on DB transfer advice.

MPs grill industry on funeral costs

Mona Patel, consumer spokesperson at Royal London, comments ahead of today's Work and Pensions Committee hearing.

Royal London appoints new Group Chief Executive

Roal London announces that Barry O’Dwyer has been appointed Group Chief Executive subject to regulatory approval. He is expected to take up his appointment in September 2019.

Pensioners risk losing more than a free tv licence if they don’t claim pension credit

Pensioners who don’t check to see whether they qualify for Pension Credit risk missing out on more than a free TV licence – they could also lose help with utilities and a host of other benefits according to Royal London.

Increase in female employment drives number in work to record high

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today's Labour Market figures.

More than half a billion paid out in claims by Royal London

Royal London paid 99% of claims in 2018 with more than £506m paid out in UK protection claims, helping more than 38,000 customers and their families at a difficult time.

Pre-school costs more than mortgage or rent for working parents

Parents with pre-school children who work full time are paying more for childcare than their own home, new analysis suggests.

Cremation fees rise by up to 56% over four years

Our research shows that cremation fees across the UK have risen by an average of 21% over a four year period compared with general inflation over the same period of just 6.3%.

Britain back in the pension savings habit as stats show £90.4bn saved

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today's figures showing £90.4bn was saved into pensions in 2018 by eligible employees.

Minister forced to admit ‘significant’ problems as a third of a million incorrect state pension forecasts issued

In a letter sent to Royal London policy director Steve Webb, Pensions Minister Guy Opperman has admitted ‘significant’ problems with incorrect state pension forecasts.

Chris Curry an “excellent choice” for dashboard delivery group

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on Chris Curry's appointment as principal of the pension dashboard delivery group.

Funeral plan regulation to offer consumers greater protection

Royal London's funeral expert Louise Eaton-Terry comments on the Government's proposal to regulate pre-paid funeral plans.

Government 'double-counting' blunder means take up of marriage tax break far lower than previously claimed by Ministers

Revisions to official statistics published today by HMRC show that far fewer people than previously thought are benefiting from the special income tax allowance for married couples.

"Use Parliamentary limbo period to table Pensions Bill"

Steve Webb, director of policy at Royal London, comments on the announcement of the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Nora O’Mahony appointed non-executive director for Royal London fund boards

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), the investment manager of Royal London Unit Trust Managers (RLUTM) and RLUM, announces the appointment of Nora O’Mahony as non-executive director to the fund boards, with effect from 1 June 2019.

RLAM renews calls for a new independent chairman to ‘lead governance reforms’ at Metro Bank

Ashley Hamilton-Claxton, Head of Responsible Investment at Royal London Asset Management, comments following the Metro Bank AGM on Tuesday.

Government receives one complaint every hour about tax-free childcare

Disgruntled parents have made one complaint every hour about the Government Childcare Service since Tax-Free Childcare became the main support scheme for childcare costs last year.

RLAM remains unconvinced that Metro Bank has sufficiently addressed previous governance concerns

Ashley Hamilton-Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management, comments ahead of Metro Bank's AGM.

Number of grandparents getting state pension help for looking after grandchildren passes 10,000

New figures revealed to insurer Royal London under the Freedom of Information Act show that more than 10,000 grandparents and other family members received help with their state pension in 2017/18 for looking after grandchildren.

UK labour market: first signs of trouble?

Melanie Baker, Senior Economist at Royal London Asset Management, comments on today's UK labour market figures.

Major shift needed to address gender pay gap

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today's UK Labour Market statistics.

Ahead of Playtech's AGM, Royal London Asset Management still has some concerns

Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management, comments on Playtech ahead of its AGM.

Finding the right medicine - how to fix the problems between doctors and their pension scheme

With growing reports of senior NHS staff cutting their hours or even retiring because of pension tax issues, Royal London has published a new policy paper explaining the issue and reviewing the various solutions on offer.

How far up the housing equity ladder should you expect to be at your age?

New analysis of official mortgage figures has revealed how old UK mortgage borrowers are when they take out home loans at different loan-to-value limits.

Bank of England still signalling future rate rises

Melanie Baker, senior economist at Royal London Asset Management, comments on today's interest rate decision by the Bank of England.

Divorced Brits regret splitting after new financial pressures hit home

Thousands of people who go through a divorce or separation each year regret the split because of new financial pressures they’ve faced being single, according to new research by Research Without Barriers for Royal London, the mutual insurer.

Appetite for pension reforms undimmed as withdrawals top £25bn

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today's figures showing flexible payments from pensions.

Millions risk financial welfare due to lack of understanding around Power of Attorney

New research from mutual insurer Royal London has shown that half of adults are not aware of Power of Attorney, which is a vital protection to help families when loved ones can no longer cope.

Policy reform, not more bank of mum and dad, required to ease intergenerational divides

Personal finance specialist Becky O'Connor comments on the House of lords Committee on Intergenerational Fairness and Provision, published this morning.

Renters hit hardest by rising costs

Personal finance specialist Becky O'Connor comments on today's ONS household living costs index.

Improvement in pension incomes could “go into reverse” without government action

Pension specialist, Helen Morrissey, comments on today's statistics showing disposable income for retired households has increased at a faster rate than for non-retired households.

Royal London introduces more flexibility to income protection

Royal London has introduced a new payment option of five years to its Income Protection, making the cover more flexible.

Women's pension equality 'still decades away' despite growth in pension coverage

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published new data on workplace pension scheme membership drawn from the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings for 2018.

AE an "enormous success" but we need to include self-employed

Royal London pension specialist, Helen Morrissey, comments on today's data which shows the success of auto-enrolment.

New FOI reveals far more low-paid workers missing out on pension tax relief than previously thought

A new FOI reply to Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London, suggests that far more low-paid and part-time workers are missing out on tax relief on their pension contributions than previously thought.

We need to get dashboard right first time

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London responds to reports that a Pension Dashboard could be available within months.

Single, under 40, in work and renting – a snapshot of debt nation

StepChange, the debt charity, today (Wednesday April 3) publishes a report showing that a record number of people contacted the charity in 2018 and that the majority of its clients are under 40, in-work and renting.

Half a million workers past pension age may be paying unnecessary tax on their state pension

New research published today (Weds 3rd April) by mutual insurer Royal London has found that large numbers of people working past state pension age could be paying unnecessary tax on their state pension.

John Brett appointed non-executive director for Royal London fund boards

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), the investment manager of Royal London Unit Trust Managers (RLUTM) and RLUM, announces the appointment of John Brett as non-executive director to the fund boards, with effect from 1 April 2019, subject to regulatory approval.

HMRC ‘moving at snail’s pace’ in resolving tax issues around GMPs

HMRC has been condemned for moving ‘at a snail’s pace’ to resolve uncertainties around the tax implications of the Lloyds Bank judgment on GMPs by Royal London policy director Steve Webb.

RLAM moves to fixed fund management fee

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) will move to a single, fixed fund management fee, titled the ‘Fund Management Fee’ (FMF), with effect from 3 June 2019.

Financial planning "must keep up" with changing circumstances as marriage rates for older couples rise

Clare Moffat, head of business development at Royal London Intermediary, comments on today's statistics on Marriages in England and Wales.

Fall in pensioner incomes shows rising prosperity of elderly cannot be taken for granted

Helen Morrissey, pensions specialist at Royal London comments on this year's pensioners' income statistics.

Half of all babies now born in rented accommodation

Around half of all babies born in Britain – approximately 365,000 a year - are now born into rented accommodation, new analysis from Royal London has revealed.

Royal London appointed as new insurance partner by Cover Direct

Royal London has partnered with Cover Direct to offer Over 50s life insurance direct to consumers.

Funeral industry needs to make its pricing clear and transparent

Louise Eaton-Terry, funeral cost expert at Royal London, comments on the Competition and Markets Authority's announcement today on a market investigation into the funerals sector.

RLAM strengthens wholesale team with appointment of Phil Davey

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) announces the recent appointment of Phil Davey as relationship manager for London discretionary sales.

'Groundbreaking' new research reveals 'Lifetime Allowance timebomb' set to hit more than a million workers

New analysis published today (24th March) by mutual insurer Royal London has shown, for the first time, how many of today’s workers are at risk of breaching the £1.03m lifetime limit for pension tax relief over the course of their working life, as well as the numbers who are already over the limit but may not realise.

IGC report shows Royal London provides value for money to workplace customers

Royal London continues to provide value for money overall to its workplace customers and has delivered on the commitments made in last year’s report according to the fourth report of its Independent Governance Committee (IGC).

Royal London announces record EEV operating profit for 2018

‘Women still a long way away from jobs equality’

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today's UK Labour Market statistics.

Collective DC consultation response - 'Narrow scope means wider adoption could be many years away'

The DWP has today published its response to the consultation on Collective DC pension schemes. Steve Webb, director of policy at Royal London comments.

No big spending fireworks in the Spring Statement, but the fiscal outlook is Brexit dependent

Melanie Baker, senior economist at Royal London Asset Management, comments on today's Spring Statement.

No excuse for Autumn raid on pension tax relief now Chancellor has revealed his ‘war chest’

The improvement in the public finances revealed by the Chancellor in his Spring Statement means he now has no excuse for an Autumn Budget raid on pension tax relief, according to Royal London policy director Steve Webb.

FCA decision to hike FOS compensation limit 'shocking' and 'counter-productive'

The announcement today by the FCA that it is planning to more than double the compensation limit at the Financial Ombudsman Service to £350,000 has been condemned as ‘shocking’ by Royal London Director of Policy, Steve Webb.

Women urged to 'get ahead of the curve' on pension saving, as new figures show women's earnings peak in thirties

Helen Morrissey, pensions specialist at Royal London comments on the publication of today's Personal Income statistics.

"Tougher action on large dividends to be welcomed" - Steve Webb, Royal London

Steve Webb, director of policy at Royal London comments on the publication today of the Pensions Regulator's 2019 Defined Benefit Funding Statement.

Millions of Brits fear cost of living surge post-Brexit

As the date of a possible withdrawal from the EU looms, more Brits than last year fear for their financial wellbeing in a post-Brexit world.

From panic to complacency?

Royal London Asset Management’s head of multi asset, Trevor Greetham, looks at whether investors are now more complacent to growth.

More than six million adults refuse to discuss their will with loved ones

Ahead of Free Wills Month in March, research from Royal London reveals a quarter (26%) of people with a will do not discuss it as they do not want to think about dying. The research also found that one in four (27%) do not want to upset beneficiaries by discussing the contents of their will.

Help to Save - "Great, if you've heard of it" Royal London comments

Becky O'Connor, personal finance specialist at Royal London comments on the Help to Save statistics published today.

‘New HMRC figures show half a million families a year missing out on child benefit since 2012 – women losing hundreds of millions in state pension rights’

Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London, comments on figures published today by HMRC on the number of families claiming child benefit.

Metro Bank to be investigated by regulators following accounting oversight

Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management comments on the latest development for Metro Bank.

Fund selector JB Beckett joins Royal London’s investment advisory committee

Royal London has welcomed experienced fund selector JB Beckett to its Investment Advisory Committee (IAC).

Pensions inequality generates huge gap between high income and low income pensioners

Helen Morrissey, pensions specialist at Royal London comments on the publication of “The effects of taxes and benefits on household income, disposable income estimate: 2018”

Younger consumers addressing protection needs too late in life

New research by Royal London shows three quarters (74%) of IFAs believe that younger consumers are not addressing their protection needs early enough, with two in five (43%) advisers struggling to attract clients under the age of 35.

Tax-free childcare flops in first year at just £32mn in top-up payments

Data from HM Revenue & Customs published last week (Thursday 21 February 2019) showed the Government paid just £32 million in ‘top-ups’ towards 50,000 tax-free childcare accounts being used by parents during the scheme’s first year.

April 2019 contribution rises ‘will not lead to large-scale pension opt-outs’

New research by mutual insurer Royal London has found that the next step up in pension contributions which takes place in April 2019 is highly unlikely to lead large numbers of people to give up on saving in a workplace pension.

Dairy Crest deal highlights attractions of UK companies

Richard Marwood, senior fund manager at Royal London Asset Management comments on the news that Dairy Crest is to be bought by Canadian company Saputo.

Government childcare scheme ‘misses half of the families it was meant to help’

Only half of the 600,000 families in England the Government said would be eligible for 30 hours of “free” childcare for three and four-year olds have actually benefited, according to new analysis by mutual insurer Royal London.

Employment gap continues to narrow between men and women

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on statistics on the employment gap between men and women.

“New FOI reply reveals over 100,000 savers could face shock six figure tax bills following tiny uplifts to their pension – urgent need for clarity from HMRC”

Tiny changes to the company pensions of thousands of workers following a recent court case could land them with unexpected six figure tax bills unless urgent action is taken by HMRC, according to Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London.

Royal London calls for more awareness of frozen pensions trap

Helen Morrissey, pension specialist at Royal London, comments on today’s figures which estimate the costs of uprating State Pension in frozen rate countries.

Tenant fees bill gains Royal Assent but “does not address the structural issues within the private rented sector”

Becky O'Connor, Personal Finance Specialist, comments on the news that the Tenant Fees Bill gained Royal Assent today and will become an Act on June 1, 2019.

Ryanair's eye-watering share option grant is just ludicrous

Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management comments on the news that Ryanair's chief executive officer could receive a windfall pay-out.

New crackdown on employers ‘more likely to generate headlines than protect pensions’

Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London, comments on the latest re-announcement by the government of plans for a new criminal offence of ‘recklessly or wilfully’ under-funding a workplace pension scheme.

Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management, comments on Ryanair’s announcement of a new Group structure

Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management, comments on Ryanair’s announcement of a new Group structure.

Royal London urges people to claim Power of Attorney refunds as figures show millions left unclaimed

Mutual insurer Royal London is urging people with a registered power of attorney to check whether they are due a refund of their fees as figures show only 20% of those eligible have done so.

DWP plans for small scheme consolidation ‘risk being feeble tick box exercise’

Royal London’s Director of Policy, Steve Webb, comments on a consultation paper published today by DWP on infrastructure investment by pension schemes.

Savings rates beginning to outdo property price growth

Piling money into houses is no longer an antidote to dismal returns on savings, as the best best-buy interest rates are now higher than the annual average property price growth in England.

New HMRC figures show cash 'under the mattress' nearly doubles since 2001

Helen Morrissey and Trevor Greetham comment on UK Personal Wealth Statistics published today.

New bidder for RPC vindicates investor caution

Craig Yeaman, fund manager at Royal London Asset Manager comments on the news that a potential rival bidder has emerged for RPC.

‘HMRC ‘over-taxing spree’ passes £400m mark’

Our pensions specialist, Helen Morrissey, comments on new figures released today by HMRC.

Steve Webb, Royal London, challenges DWP to ‘seize the moment’ over DB benefit simplification

DWP has been urged to ‘seize the moment’ for pensions simplification by bringing forward legislation to make it easier for Defined Benefit pension schemes to streamline member benefits.

Royal London Asset Management launches multi asset fund seeking to generate growth while managing downside risk

Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has launched a multi asset fund designed for investors looking to capture market upside while limiting downside risk.

New FCA rules on retirement choices show that ‘reckless caution not lamborghinis’ is big issue with pension freedoms

Following publication today of the FCA’s conclusions from its Retirement Outcomes Review, Steve Webb, Director of Policy at Royal London comments

Royal London’s Governed Portfolios prove that diversification delivers with strong ten year performance

Royal London’s Governed Portfolio range - a suite of nine portfolios designed to suit pension investors across a range of risk appetites and investment horizons – is celebrating its tenth anniversary by posting strong results across all portfolios.

Paying Lifetime and Annual Allowance tax charges isn't always a bad thing

Pension scheme members at risk of breaching lifetime and annual allowances should not adopt a default position of ceasing contributions according to mutual insurer Royal London.

Royal London intermediary appoints new distribution director

Royal London today announces the appointment of Tom Dunbar as Distribution Director for its intermediary division.

Royal London reunites lost policyholders with £14 million

Royal London, the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, has reunited 36,000 customers with lost ‘penny policies’ worth more than £14 million.

Appetite for pension flexibility remains undimmed with £1.9bn taken in last quarter

Our pensions specialist Helen Morrissey comments on today’s statistics showing flexible payments from pensions.

RLAM welcomes Investment Association's consultation

comment from Mike Fox, head of sustainable investments

Royal London Asset Management expresses disappointment at RPC takeover news

Craig Yeaman, senior fund manager at Royal London Asset Management, comments on the takeover news for RPC.

Home maintenance time bomb ticking for over 50s

Our pension specialist Helen Morrissey comments on today's UK Family Spending statistics.

Growing number of women working full time is good news for financial resilience

Our Pensions Specialist Helen Morrissey comments on the latest UK Labour Market Statistics.

Steel workers ‘let down by those who should have protected them’ – Steve Webb, Royal London

Our Director of Policy Steve Webb comments on today’s publication of a report by Caroline Rookes into the issues around the British Steel Pension Scheme.

The ‘Dos’ And ‘Don’ts’ Of Debt-Talk

“Blue Monday” is the third Monday of January, so-called because it is meant to be the most depressing day of the year.

Help to Save scheme off to a "slow start"

The Government’s flagship Help to Save savings scheme aimed at those in receipt of Universal Credit is off to a “slow start”

Scotland updates flawed benefit inherited from DWP

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s announcement that the Funeral Expense Assistance (FEA) will replace the current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Funeral Payment in Scotland

Paying lifetime and annual allowance tax charges isn’t always a bad thing

Advisers have a vital role to play in exploding myths around paying lifetime and annual allowance charges according to Royal London.

Sandwich carers face pensions 'double whammy'

On the day that the Office for National Statistics publishes research on Britain’s 1.3 million ‘sandwich carers’ – those looking after children and elderly relatives at the same time – mutual insurer Royal London is highlighting a pensions injustice making life even more difficult for this group.

Workers urged to top up State Pension now to avoid April 2019 hike in cost of contributions

People thinking about paying voluntary National Insurance Contributions to fill past gaps in their contribution record are being urged to do so before 6th April by pensions experts.

The Best Things In Life Aren’t Free: Royal London Calculates Key Life Goals Will Take 25 Years To Pay For

Anyone planning how to meet their big life dreams in 2019 take note: the best things in life are very much not free. That’s if your aspirations are on the conventional side, anyway.

Royal London comments on the one-year anniversary of Open Banking

Becky O'Connor, personal finance specialist at Royal London comments on the one-year anniversary of "Open Banking".

Government cuts force more bereaved families into poverty

Local authorities in the UK spent almost £5.4 million on public health funerals in 2017/18.

3 in a row! Royal London awarded gold for customer service

Royal London has received the highest accreditation from Investor in Customers (IIC) for outstanding customer experience for the third year in a row.

Royal London opens Ireland subsidiary

Royal London today announces the opening of ROYAL LONDON INSURANCE DAC

new research shows divorced women are ‘pensions poor relations’

Relationship charity Relate report a 24% surge in inquiries in January each year from those with relationship worries

Royal London's new year money goals

Research from Royal London shows two in five (41%) adults are anxious about money, which can often lead to nightmares and stress.

Quarter of a million nurses could face retirement poverty

A quarter of a million NHS workers have opted out of the NHS pension scheme in the last three years

Trump Slump: Bargain Hunting after The Christmas Crash

The drop in stock prices that started with a seasonal October sell off intensified in December on disappointing economic reports out of China, heightened geopolitical tensions and a series of inept policy announcements in Washington.

Increased ombudsman award limits will have huge "unintended consequences" for advisers and clients

Plans to increase the amount of money the ombudsman service can award for complaints against firms could lead to huge rises in the cost of insurance for advisers warns Royal London.

Royal London welcomes Candia Kingston to Investment Advisory Committee

Royal London has welcomed Candia Kingston as an independent member of its Investment Advisory Committee (IAC).

Fed hike - not quite as dovish as expected

Melanie Baker, senior economist, at Royal London Asset Management commenting on the latest rate hike by the Fed

DWP evaluation of automatic enrolment offers ‘rare good news’ on pensions

With so much doom and gloom about pensions, this report offers a rare glimmer of hope

Offering flexible working options key to keeping older workers in workplace

People in the 52 to 64 age group are more likely than any other age group to be carers with many also still working

Half of workers worried about income if they were to fall ill

A million workers are off sick for more than a month every year, with research showing half (52%) would worry about their income if they became too ill to work

Save yourself the post Christmas tax return blues

Save yourself the post-Christmas tax return blues says Royal London to self-employed who are yet to file

Upward trend in women in full time employment

will see more auto-enrolled into pensions

Royal London today announces that Group CEO Phil Loney has decided to stand down by the end of 2019.

He is standing down to concentrate on his longstanding charitable interests in the international development sector and supporting people with learning difficulties.

Royal London enhances critical illness cover

Royal London introduces enhancements to its critical illness cover (CI) for three of the most common areas for claim - cancer, heart conditions and multiple sclerosis - allowing the business to pay out in a wider range of circumstances.

New pension superfunds could be ‘game-changers'

Today’s announcement that the Government are launching a consultation into pension "superfunds" could give savers more secure retirement incomes

Perplexed by wills: more than 5 adults do not know where to begin

New research by Royal London reveals that 5.4 million adults without a will in the UK would not know where to begin if they were to write one.

Will we stay or will we go

The probability of the UK remaining in the EU has just increased. With Brexit events moving at such a startling pace and less than a week to go before Parliament votes on Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement, investors should ensure their portfolios are prepared for every eventuality.

Pension enrolment threshold frozen again

Announcement today that the threshold for enrolment into a workplace pension is to be frozen at £10,000 effects hundreds of thousands more workers

Responding to the publication of a report by the Economic Affairs Committee

Responding to the publication of a report by the Economic Affairs Committee - "HMRC Powers: Treating Taxpayers Fairly"

Positive outcome for Restaurant Group deal

Commenting on the verdict of the Restaurant Group rights issue and the acquisition of Wagamama

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