The U.K.’s Financial Services Authority says the investment advice offered the public has left something to be desired, Citywire reports. In an inspection of some 50 financial advisers, the agency found plenty of good eggs, but also “an unacceptable number of firms” it identified as having “substantial failings in the process by which advice… is given.” The FSA also noted that “a significant number” of firms that say they are independent did not give customers the option to pay a fee for advice. According to Citywire, the authority concluded that financial advisers need to be clearer in explaining the type of advice they offer; that advisers with the better training programs and competence offered better quality advice; and that some firms violated FSA rules by not issuing suitability letters. To help improve the situation, the agency reportedly will hold workshops to work on their “most significant shortcomings.” In a related matter, the FSA has set a March 2007 for firms to integrate its “Treat the Customer Fairly” initiative into practice.