On 29 November 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Handbook Notice 124, which describes the changes to the FCA Handbook and other material made by the FCA Board under its legislative and other statutory powers on 31 October 2024 and 28 November 2024.

These include changes made by the following instruments:

  • The Long-Term Investment Fund (Amendment) Instrument 2024, which makes changes to the FCA Handbook to remove all references to long-term investment funds (LTIFs), the LTIF Regulation and European Economic Area LTIFs from the Handbook, following the repeal of the LTIF Regulation.
  • The Markets in Financial Instruments (Non-Equity Transparency Rules) Instrument 2024 and the Markets in Financial Instruments (Non-Equity Transparency Technical Standards) Instrument 2024, which make changes to the FCA Handbook to establish a simpler and more timely post-trade transparency regime based on fewer deferrals for bonds and certain over-the-counter derivatives, while ensuring that liquidity providers are sufficiently protected against undue risk.
  • The Critical Third Parties (Statement of Policy Relating to Disciplinary Measures) Instrument 2024 and the Critical Third Parties Instrument 2024, which make changes to the FCA Handbook to manage the systemic risks posed by certain third parties to the UK financial sector. The new rules are intended to allow the regulators (the FCA, PRA and the Bank of England) to monitor and manage these risks in an effective but proportionate manner.
  • The Pensions Dashboard Service Instrument 2024, which makes changes to the FCA Handbook to regulate firms that operate pensions dashboard services.
  • The Financial Crime Guide (Amendment) Instrument 2024, which makes changes to the FCA Handbook to update the Financial Crime Guide in relation to sanctions, proliferation financing and transaction monitoring. This instrument also adds references to cryptoassets and the Consumer Duty and makes consequential changes throughout the guide.
  • The Access to Cash Sourcebook (Consequential Amendment) Instrument 2024, which amends the Handbook definition of ‘firm’ to include designated coordination bodies and ensure a consistent enforcement approach of Part 8B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Handbook Notice 124 also sets out feedback on the following consultations, which will not have a separate policy statement published by the FCA:

  • CP24/11: Long-Term Investment Fund (Amendment) Instrument 2024.
  • Access to Cash Sourcebook (Consequential Amendment) Instrument 2024.