UK: Government 'toughens' Money Laundering Regulations

The Government has published new "tough and targeted" regulations to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.

The 2007 Money Laundering Regulations, which come into effect on the 15 December, affect the "regulated sector" - which includes the financial sector, professionals such as lawyers and accountants, casinos, trust and company service providers and estate agents.

Economic Secretary, Kitty Ussher, said: "In line with the Government's financial crime strategy these regulations introduce tough and targeted new measures where the risks are greatest and at the same time ensure that businesses and consumers in low risk situations face fewer burdens than previously."

The regulations extend supervision to all businesses in the regulated sector to secure greater compliance with anti-money laundering controls, and include strict tests to ensure money services business and firms that help set up and manage trusts and companies are not run for criminal purposes.

At the same time firms will be able to make fewer checks in low risk situations, such as occupational pension funds and child trust fund administration. The number of identity checks will also be reduced with firms being able to rely upon checks done by certain other firms - for example solicitors and FSA authorised financial advisors.

http://www.nurs.co.uk/news/briefs/cms/1185441278212694732410_1.htm