In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, Head of Public Policy David Gauke is joined by Pensions Partner Faye Jarvis and Investment Management Partner Lora Froud to discuss how private capital managers can access UK pension fund investors following the Mansion House Accord and the new Pension Schemes Bill. 

They cover:

• the commitment made by 17 of the UK's largest pension funds to invest 10% of their defined contribution default funds in private markets by 2030, with half being invested in the UK, and reactions from the pensions and investment sectors;
• key regulatory, operational and cultural barriers, including the charge cap and permitted links; and 
• key measures introduced in the new Pension Schemes Bill and the Government’s ongoing drive to consolidate the defined contribution pension market. 

 They highlight that private capital managers should be closely monitoring these developments as they open up new sources of capital, although greater understanding between the pensions industry and private capital industry will be required to facilitate change. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Faye or Lora.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Brian Spiro, and Helen Harvey discuss the introduction of the new corporate offence for failing to prevent fraud. 

They cover: 

• the purpose and legal background of the new offence;
• what kind of organisations are affected and how liability is determined; 
• the proactive measures businesses must implement to ensure compliance; and 
• enforcement implications. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Brian or Helen. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of the policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Malcolm Hitching, and James Popperwell discuss litigation funding in England and Wales, including the impact of legal rulings, the ongoing Civil Justice Council (CJC) review, and whether or not further regulation might be needed to preserve access to justice while protecting consumers.

They cover:

• the impact of the PACCAR ruling on litigation funding agreements;
• the CJC's review of the litigation funding sector in England and Wales; and
• whether or not further regulation might provide relevant protections for consumers.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Malcolm or James.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcast, David Gauke, Rhiannon Kinghall Were, and Bezhan Salehy discuss President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the OECD global tax deal, the implications for Pillars 1 and 2, and the potential for future negotiations.

They cover:

• the background and details of the OECD global tax deal;
• the US’ objections to Pillar 1 and Pillar 2;
• digital services taxes (DSTs); and
• political, fiscal and practical implications, including the likelihood of retaliatory measures and the impact on global trade and tax policy.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Rhiannon or Bezhan. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson, and Praveen Gopalan discuss COP 29 (November 2024), recent developments in sustainable finance and ESG, and the future of COP, including COP 30’s potential focus on biodiversity.

They cover:

• COP 29 – expectations vs. outcomes and targets;
• how businesses will be affected in the UK;
• the politicisation of ESG initiatives;
• current hot topics in ESG; and
• the future of COP and sustainable finance.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Rachel or Praveen.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Eloise Illingworth, and Tom Weekes, KC at Landmark Chambers discuss fetters to housebuilding from private property law in the form of restrictive covenants as well as easements, such as rights of way and rights of light.

They cover:

• what restrictive covenants and easements are;
• the impact that restrictive covenants and easements have on property development;
• how rights of light are acquired and their effect; and
• how the law might be reformed in order to facilitate housebuilding.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David or Eloise.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, ahead of the House of Commons summer recess this week, David Gauke, Tania Barnes and Isabella Dierden-Hunt discuss implications post General Election for the real estate industry, looking at the proposed policies of the new Government.

They cover: 

• the new Government's focus on development and infrastructure and opportunities for the industry; 
•  planning reform proposals, with a focus on energy; 
•  leaseholder and tenant protection (including leaseholder reform and what new commonhold legislation may bring); and
•  possible reactions by clients to the proposed changes. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Tania or Isabella.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Paul Hardwick discuss implications of the recent General Election for private clients, with a focus on proposed tax policies of the new Government.

They cover: 

• the new Government's proposed tax plans, including in particular the planned changes to non-dom taxation;
• timing considerations; and
• possible reactions by clients to the changes. 

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David and Paul.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In this episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Rachel Richardson discuss ESG policies outlined in the Labour and Conservative manifestos.

They cover:

• the proposed climate policies;
• green finance initiatives;
• Labour's proposed solutions to make the UK more attractive for private capital, including a National Wealth Fund and the Energy Independence Act; and 
• Labour's broader environmental strategy involving an emphasis on sustainable farming practices and national biodiversity improvements.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David and Rachel.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In the latest episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke and Bezhan Salehy discuss tax policy with a focus on business taxes.

They cover:

• Labour's plans to raise revenue through targeted revenue measures;
• business tax strategy; and
• a focus on economic stability.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David and Bezhan.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

 In the second episode of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Matthew Ramsey and Kirti Tiwari-Mehta discuss potential changes to employment law amidst the current general election campaign.

They cover: 

• potential employment law reform including the Labour Party's New Deal for Working People;
• Unfair dismissal protections and worker classifications;
• Ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting: and 
• the right to switch off proposal.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Matthew and Kirti.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

 In the first of our pre-election policy in practice podcasts, David Gauke, Dan Marriott and Rachael Ashton discuss property policy in light of the party manifestos ahead of the General Election. 

They cover: 

• the current legislative picture and the importance of leasehold reform and tenant empowerment; 
• the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act and the Renters Reform Bill; and
• the proposed approaches to housing and planning, including ground rent proposals.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

With the announcement of the General Election, in this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Alexandra Green and Laura Bridgewater discuss the FCA's proposals to disclose the identity of companies under investigation at an earlier stage.

They cover:

• the FCA's proposals to publicly announce the opening of enforcement investigations and disclose the identities of the companies;
• the finance sector's reaction to this proposal; and 
• political considerations and the future developments considering the upcoming General Election.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Alexandra and Laura.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Christopher Charlton and Chloe Edworthy discuss the state of English law and its international standing.

Together they discuss:

• the impact of Brexit on legal jurisdiction;
• the status of judicial recruitment; and 
• the role of technology within the legal system.

If you would like more information or want to discuss any of the topics in this podcast, please get in touch with David, Christopher or Chloe.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson and Gavin Haran consider the current state of ESG policies and sustainable finance.

Together they discuss:

• the UK's progress in green finance since the 2021 COP26 summit;
• recent ESG developments including the government's nature markets framework and the Transition Finance Market Review;
• Europe's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS); and
• what the future holds for ESG policy. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke, Christopher Good and Margarida Ferreira consider what the pension fund reform means for the private capital industry.

Together they discuss:

• private funds and what might happen in future, possibly after a change in government;
• France’s Tibi programme;
• the idea of a potential national wealth fund; and
• the practical impacts on funds and fundraising.

For more information on this topic, read their in-depth article on "Pension fund reform".

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In our first policy in practice Autumn Statement 2023 podcast episode, David Gauke and Rhiannon Kinghall Were discuss the tax headlines and implications for our clients.

Together they review:

1. the state of the public finances and what that means for policy decisions going forward;
2. full expensing being made permanent;
3. updates to the Pillar 2 rules to introduce a minimum tax;
4. NICs cuts; and
5. some light-hearted speculation on when we might see a general election!

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In our second policy in practice - Autumn Statement 2023 podcast episode, David Gauke and Faye Jarvis discuss the pensions headlines and the implications for our clients.

They review the three key themes set out by the Chancellor, being:

1. Better outcomes for savers and the idea of a “pot for life”;
2. Driving consolidation; and
3. Enabling pension schemes to invest in a diverse portfolio.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In our final policy in practice Autumn Statement 2023 podcast episode, David Gauke, Michael Sholem and Gavin Haran discuss the financial services highlights and the effect on the industry and for our clients. 

Together they discuss:

1. regulatory levers that the Government hopes will grow the economy;
2. Financial Services and Markets Act and the process for reforming onshored EU legislation;
3. recent Government reshuffle, and the appointment of the new City Minister;
4. Long Term Asset Fund and the ISA; and
5. likely impacts of change on the financial services industry.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In our latest policy in practice podcast episode, David Gauke, Rachel Richardson and Gavin Haran discuss all things sustainable finance. They review the current landscape and significant policy developments from the last few months - including the impact of the ISSB, UK & EU taxonomy and disclosure requirements, greenwashing concerns, and the future of “ESG”. 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In this episode of policy in practice, David Gauke is joined by Sapheen Meran, legal technology and innovation manager, and Gavin Haran, head of policy for asset management to look at the UK plans for introducing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). 

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

David Gauke, Rachel Richardson and Gavin Haran discuss the UK’s 2023 Green Finance Strategy, some of the pros and cons and what to expect in the future.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

In our latest policy in practice podcast, we look at the very topical issue of AI and financial services regulation.

David Gauke, our head of public policy, is joined by some our AI specialists: Mark Lewis, Klaudija Brami and Sapheen Meran. Amongst other issues the podcast touches on the UK Government’s white paper detailing how the UK will regulate AI on which we have also recently published a short blog post.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.

Our latest Policy in Practice podcast focuses on the much debated policy of rent control. David Gauke, Nicole Mitchell and Lizzie Fielding discuss the current state of health of the living subsectors, the Scottish government’s rent control policy (Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022), the experience of rental controls in other markets and where future policy may be heading in the UK.

Interested in more podcasts? Why not check out our dedicated podcast page. Listen and subscribe to The Macfarlanes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Amazon Music.