Almost 29,000 finance jobs could be axed in the City this year as the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts job losses in the UK numbering 34,000.

About one-third (36%) of employers expect the provision of financial education and support at retirement to become more widespread, according to research by Close Brothers Asset Management.

The Professional Representation Network (PRN), which provides services to contractors, is calling for chancellor George Osborne to reform tax rules for contractor training in the upcoming budget.

The rapid devaluation of the pound will mean further inflation, potential interest rate rises and make it more difficult to attract overseas talent, according to economists.