Politics
Government urged to cut red tape for SMEs ahead of spending review
The Forum of Private Business is calling on the Government to reform tax and red tape for small business ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Former MP John Greenway joins Claim Experts' board
Claim Experts has appointed former MP and president of the Institute of Insurance Brokers John Greenway as a non-executive director.
AA warns flood defence cuts could make hundreds of thousands of homes uninsurable
AA Insurance is urging the Government not to cut spending on flood defences in its autumn comprehensive spending review.
SMEs and Government: A cure for the economy
Small business is the backbone of the UK economy, says Stephen Archer, and the Government needs to encourage, rather than hinder, its growth.
Regional power hour - Newcastle: Talent scouting
This month's power hour, held in Newcastle upon Tyne and sponsored by Ecclesiastical, discusses the level of talent in the industry and how new recruits of a high calibre can be attracted. Louise Meeson reports
Broker Expo 2010: Interacting ideas
With a range of workshops, the introduction of one-to-one clinics and, of course, nearly 100 exhibition stands, Martin Friel explains why the Expo is the broker networking event of the year.
Digital extension programme to encourage regional broking
Government plans to transform the country's digital infrastructure could empower regional brokers and make the industry less London-centric, according to IT experts.
RBSI puts operating loss down to bodily injury claims injection
The chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance said its results were heavily impacted by the need to boost its reserves for bodily injury claims after reporting a £253m operating loss for H1 2010 (H1 2009: £217m profit).
Individual responsibility required to reduce NHS strain
More people will be required to take out health insurance over the next decade as their access to free healthcare becomes increasingly limited, according to a new report by Friends Provident.
Employee risk costs could soar under retirement proposals
The Government's decision to scrap the default retirement age from October 2011 could lead to key benefits becoming uninsurable for older employees, Mercer has warned.
Margaret Cole appointed to FSA Board
Margaret Cole has joined the Financial Services Authority Board as managing director of enforcement and financial crime, effective from today, 7 September 2010.
Legal - Retirement regulations: Retirement age heading for the horizon
Changes to the age of compulsory retirement will have an impact on brokers and their clients. Alex Lock looks at potential financial implications and risks to consider.
Flooding: Raising the barriers
The spate of high-profile floods over the last five years has given insurers, brokers and clients much food for thought about rates and whether or not some risks can be covered at all. Andrew Tjaardstra finds out what precautions the industry is taking.
Market Watch - Low carbon economy: High hopes for low carbon
Andrew Williams investigates the promises and pitfalls of offering cover across the many and varied risks in the growing green energy sector.
Carbon offsetting: Energy bills to rise
Brokers could face an increase in annual energy costs of £368 by 2020 as a result of climate change policies, the government has admitted.
The Green Interview: Building momentum for change
Andrew Tjaardstra speaks to Andrew Torrance, chief executive officer at Allianz and chairman of ClimateWise, about what the environmental organisation hopes to achieve and its radical proposals to last year's Copenhagen climate conference.
MP banned after driving without insurance
Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi has been banned from driving for six months after being caught using her mobile phone while driving without insurance, according to the BBC.
RPC research shows FSA resignations up 128% in a year
There has been a 128% leap in the number of staff resigning from the Financial Services Authority in just one year as the government proposes to abolish the regulator, according to city law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.
Legal: The opportunity of uncertainty
The vague Green Economy Bill is not an excuse for the industry to ignore climate change risks, rather to take a lead in tackling the problem and grab a big opportunity, writes Lindene Patton.
Fears white paper proposal could hamper PMI
The coalition Government's decision to turn its back on its 'preferred provider' policy could pose a threat to the private medical insurance (PMI) industry, according to the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (Amii).
Biba urges Amii to join forces to form a single 'louder' voice
The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (Amii) has rebuffed advances from the British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba) to merge the two organisations.
Reportage - online security: Storing online data securely
As the world of e-trading moves on apace, the legal obligations of companies that receive, store and disseminate client information can often be forgotten. Liz McMahon examines the responsibilities brokers have in regards to data
Viewpoint: It's PPI payback time
After months of speculation, the letter has arrived. Andrew Welch explores just how hard brokers have been hit by this year's soaring FSCS levy as the FSA claws back cash to cover claims from mis-sold PPI policies.
Power hour: A cooperative coalition?
This month's power hour assesses the impact the Con-Dem Government has already had on insurance and debates how it will continue to influence the industry in the future. Liz McMahon reports.