Treasury makes funeral plan RAO changes

Treasury has made changes to the RAO and related secondary legislation to remove the exclusion that previously meant no provider of pre-paid funeral plans was in fact conducting any regulated activity in relation to them.  The changes will bring the providers of these plans within the scope of regulated activities, and make some consequential changes, for example to allow appointed representatives to deal as agent in funeral plan contracts. It also deals with complaints about these products. The instrument takes effect immediately for rule making purposes and to allow firms to apply for necessary permissions, but otherwise not for another 18 months.  FCA is shortly to consult on changes to its rules.