Hargreaves Lansdown has reported an 8,000 rise in client numbers to 1.812m in the latest quarter thanks - in part - to a rise in SIPP customers, according to a trading update issued today.

After intense pressure from several quarters, wealth manager St James's Place said today that it would scrap most exit charges in a major overhaul due to be implemented in the second half of 2025.

Advised customers increased 10% year-on-year to 159,256 for platform and SIPP provider AJ Bell for the year ending 30 September.

Retirees are set to receive a 8.5% increase to their State Pension from April next year as CPI inflation held steady at 6.7% for the year ending September.

Liverpool wealth manager Blankstone Sington (FRN 143694) has gone into special administration following a company-requested court order under the Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011.