Aon spots Pensions Bill blunder
by Gill Montia
Story link: Aon spots Pensions Bill blunder
Aon Hewitt is calling for a change in the Pensions Bill before it comes into force. According to the human resources specialist, many organisations are planning to extend auto-enrolment to everyone, regardless of earnings or age. However, as it stands, the legislation requires the employer to recognise different categories of worker with their own distinct [...]
Final regulations on CIE
by Gill Montia
Story link: Final regulations on CIE
The Department for Transport has outlined the finer detail of Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) legislation, as laid in Parliament yesterday. Under the new system: The DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to identify uninsured vehicles. Motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and [...]
Proposed age-discrimination legislation unveiled
by Gill Montia
Story link: Proposed age-discrimination legislation unveiled
The Government has published plans for making it unlawful to unfairly discriminate against someone because of their age, when providing goods and services. Under the proposals, insurance companies will still be allowed to use age when assessing risk and deciding prices. However, legislation expected to take effect in April 2012 will mean firms have to [...]
Government presses ahead with ATOL reforms
by Gill Montia
Story link: Government presses ahead with ATOL reforms
The Government has confirmed that it is pressing ahead with reforms to ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing), which should ensure that around six million more holidays are covered by the scheme. Aviation Minister, Theresa Villiers, has outlined a series of changes which should be implemented by the end of the year, and will: Extend protection [...]
America’s RAA endorses License for Reinsurers Act
by Gill Montia
Story link: America’s RAA endorses License for Reinsurers Act
The Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) has endorsed the Federal License for Reinsurers Act 2010, which was introduced in Congress last week. The legislation builds on consumer protection reforms signed into law earlier this year by creating a federal licence for national reinsurers, to be administered by the director of a new Federal Insurance Office. [...]
HM Treasury immediate effect: business tax avoidance clampdown
by Gill Montia
Story link: HM Treasury immediate effect: business tax avoidance clampdown
The Government has announced a number of changes to legislation to tackle tax avoidance, some of which take immediate effect. The move follows this autumn’s publication of a code of conduct on taxation for banks and other financial institutions, which have already agreed to adhere to the spirit, rather than the letter, of UK tax [...]
Compulsory dog insurance proposals binned
by Gill Montia
Story link: Compulsory dog insurance proposals binned
The Government has abandoned the idea of mandatory third-party insurance for dogs, the BBC has reported. Concerns that dogs are being bred solely for the purpose of intimidating others have led ministers to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and a week ago, Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced that plans were under consideration for legislation [...]
BIBA proposes ‘signpost’ solution for over-65s
by David Masters
Story link: BIBA proposes ‘signpost’ solution for over-65s
Insurers are putting pressure on the government to modify new equality laws so they continue to refuse cover to elderly clients. Currently, many insurers put upper age limits on motor and travel insurance policies, and charge people double premiums on travel insurance after they turn 66. The government’s proposed Equality Bill would put an end [...]
New measures to eradicate uninsured drivers
by Gill Montia
Story link: New measures to eradicate uninsured drivers
Road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, has announced new measures that will make life more difficult for uninsured drivers. The Government plans to create an offence of keeping an uninsured vehicle, to sit alongside driving when uninsured. The minister accuses a selfish minority of drivers who refuse to insure their cars of increasing premiums for other [...]
Clampdown on uninsured drivers hots up
by Gill Montia
Story link: Clampdown on uninsured drivers hots up
The Government is furthering its clampdown on uninsured drivers during the autumn in a move that could reduce premiums for law abiding motorists. The initiative will mean that uninsured drivers can be prosecuted even if they are not stopped by the police when at the wheel. A new offence of keeping a car uninsured is [...]
Parliament considers Lloyd’s governance reforms
by Gill Montia
Story link: Parliament considers Lloyd’s governance reforms
Draft legislation to reform the governance of Lloyd’s of London was yesterday introduced to Parliament by Kitty Ussher MP, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. In addressing the House, Ms Ussher said that the Government is committed to maintaining the City’s competitiveness, and that the Legislative Reform Order (LRO) will help Lloyd’s maintain and enhance [...]
Age discrimination law demands new approach from insurers
by Gill Montia
Story link: Age discrimination law demands new approach from insurers
Questions are already being asked about the impact on the insurance sector of the Government’s new Equalities Bill, which aims to put an end to age discrimination in England and Wales while at the same time allowing employers to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minority job applicants. The proposals were outlined in the [...]
