Chief executive of the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) Steve Gazzard has hit out at the advice sector, saying it "hasn't worked", and that financial planning is much more important than advice.

Advisers have overcome the biggest hurdles they were confronted with as a result of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), according to a poll, with the number reporting they are still in "survival mode" having halved.

All regulated financial advisers could be included on a new directory being set up by the Money Advice Service (MAS) after the industry and consumers gave the green light to the project.

Savers could be forced to pay inheritance tax while they are still alive, under a new drive against tax avoidance planned by the government.

A "relatively benign" rise in interest rates still has the potential to double the number of households facing debt problems, a think tank has said.

The UK economy will grow faster in 2014 than any other G7 economy, while low wage rises will ensure interest rates do not rise until next year, an influential report has forecast.

A generous insurance boss spent more than £500,000 throwing an office party for his staff - which even featured a concert by Olly Murs.

Britain's recovery has become entrenched and the Bank of England should start to raise interest rates in the coming months to reflect the stronger economy, according to one of its most dovish policymakers.

Business secretary Vince Cable has called the financial sector "a public good", though admitted it often falls short of this lofty aim.

The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has said it wants to put accredited financial advisers "at the public's fingertips" with the relaunch of its adviser directory.