The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has published its 2026 Manifesto, Economic Resilience, setting out ten policy “asks” of government, the FCA and industry - and 10 commitments BIBA will deliver for brokers - aimed at strengthening access to insurance, reducing regulatory burdens and closing protection gaps for businesses and consumers.
BIBA said the manifesto is designed to be sharply focused and actionable. Graeme Trudgill (pictured), BIBA chief executive, told members the association wants “to be crystal clear on what we want to achieve” and urged rapid implementation of the Treasury and FCA reforms. A central demand is a new Financial Services Bill early in 2026 to enact crosscutting measures arising from the Leeds reforms and HM Treasury’s Regulation Action Plan.
The manifesto lists 0 headline asks, of which the most significant for the market are:
BIBA pairs these asks with 10 internal commitments including a new Ben the Broker awareness campaign, an AI training school with Markel, a startup guide for new brokers, an accredited cyber insurance broker directory with DSIT and refreshed guidance on professional indemnity and fair value assessments.
BIBA and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) are launching a voluntary Total Signposting Commitment intended to help retail customers who cannot obtain cover from an initial provider find an alternative broker or specialist. The commitment will apply across sales channels - online, telephone, facetoface and call centres - and will be overseen by BIBA’s Access to Insurance Committee. BIBA said existing signposting agreements for flood, age, protection and travel medical policies have generated more than 430,000 enquiries in the previous 12 months and the new industrywide approach aims to make signposting “business as usual.”
Lucy Rigby MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, welcomed the signposting plans, saying brokers “have a key role to play” and stating the commitment supports the government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.
Cyber risk is a central theme of the manifesto. Citing the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report (59% of respondents experienced a cyberattack in the previous 12 months) and DSIT research showing 35% of SMEs have no cyber cover, BIBA argues a stronger private market for cyber is essential to national resilience. To tackle the protection gap BIBA will:
BIBA says it welcomes product innovation such as Customer Business Interruption cover designed to protect SMEs in supplychain cyber incidents and points to industry steps such as CFC’s new product as evidence of market progress.
A major strand of the manifesto is cutting the “frictional cost” of regulation for brokers. BIBA asks the FCA to prioritise the removal of unnecessary regulatory returns and to finalise simplification of the Consumer Duty and fair value rules; it urges the government to introduce primary legislation to streamline SM&CR, FOS reforms and other crosscutting measures. BIBA argues that unnecessary data reporting and administrative burdens reduce brokers’ capacity to serve clients and innovate.
The manifesto also covers sectoral issues. On flood, BIBA calls for planning and enforcement measures to make propertylevel flood resilience mainstream, standardise Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in new developments and consult on Flood Re’s future after 2039. On terrorism, BIBA supports Pool Re’s consultation on reintegrating SME terrorism cover into standard commercial policies. For Northern Ireland, BIBA seeks regulatory changes - including bringing claims management companies into regulation and raising county court limits - to improve access to personal lines capacity.
On leaseholders and building safety, BIBA reaffirms support for the Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility and calls for better transparency of insurance arrangements for residents, and for the government to ensure reforms under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act preserve brokers’ ability to be paid fairly.
BIBA’s manifesto contains a detailed programme of member support for 2026: guidance on fair value assessments, professional indemnity, trading in a soft market, late notification of claims and starter guidance for new brokers; an expanded Insurer Monitor survey in partnership with Gracechurch to track placement and claims service; and a talent pipeline programme with the CII and publicschool outreach. BIBA also plans to run another Ben the Broker campaign to raise broker awareness among SMEs.
Graeme Trudgill said the manifesto will be accompanied by “practical work” to help brokers implement the commitments and that BIBA will press for urgent implementation of regulatory reforms. The association will promote its Total Signposting Commitment alongside the ABI and will work with DSIT on a cyber broker accreditation process. BIBA said it will continue to engage with government and the FCA in 2026 and expects to publish updated member guidance and training resources during the year.
For brokers and insurers, the manifesto sets a clear lobbying agenda and a practical delivery plan. The most immediate items likely to affect market participants are the total signposting rollout, the cyber directory and the AI training school - all initiatives BIBA says will begin to be implemented in early 2026 - and the association’s continued push for regulatory simplification through a Financial Services Bill.
