UK Investing News: June 2026

A busy fortnight for UK investors: the FCA opened the door to crypto inside mainstream funds, took action against Neil Woodford again, and pension dashboards passed a major milestone. Here is what happened between late May and 11 June, and why each item matters if you hold an ISA, a SIPP or a workplace pension.

FCA proposes letting retail funds hold up to 10% in crypto

On 9 June the FCA proposed allowing UCITS funds and certain other retail funds to allocate up to 10% of assets to crypto exchange-traded notes. The regulator calls the cap a set of “conservative restrictions”, and funds would have to show that any crypto exposure fits their stated objectives and risk profile. The consultation runs until 13 July. For ordinary investors the practical point is this: a fund you already hold could, in time, carry a small crypto allocation, so it becomes more important to read what your fund actually invests in rather than relying on its name. If you are still picking your first fund, our guide to how to start investing in the UK covers what to check before you buy. Details via Grafa.

FCA takes action against Neil Woodford for operating without authorisation

On 8 June the FCA announced action against Neil Woodford and his venture W4.0 for operating without authorisation. Woodford is the fund manager whose flagship equity income fund collapsed in 2019, trapping hundreds of thousands of retail investors. The lesson has not changed: before you hand money to any investment service, check it is authorised on the FCA register, because FSCS protection and complaint rights depend on it. The regulator’s statement is on the FCA website.

Pension dashboards reach 85% of records ahead of the October deadline

Pensions Expert reported on 1 June that more than 70 million pension records, over 85% of those in scope, are now connected to the pensions dashboards system, with nearly 1,500 providers and schemes on board. The remaining medium-sized schemes face staggered deadlines through to 31 October 2026, and the Money and Pensions Service expects the first public dashboard in the 2027-28 financial year. When it arrives, you will finally be able to see every pension you have in one place, which makes lost pots easier to find and consolidation decisions easier to weigh. If you are thinking about gathering old pensions into one account, our guide on how to open a SIPP in the UK explains the trade-offs. Full report at Pensions Expert.

Bank of England expected to hold at 3.75% on 18 June

The Monetary Policy Committee meets on 18 June, and a hold at 3.75% is widely predicted after the 8-1 vote to hold on 30 April. The bigger shift is in direction: markets started 2026 expecting two cuts, but with inflation pressure from higher energy prices, some forecasters now see a rise to 4% before December. For savers that supports cash rates a little longer; for investors it is a reminder that holding too much long-term money in cash still carries inflation risk. The HomeOwners Alliance has a clear summary of the current rate predictions.