Politics
Business confidence dented by forthcoming Budget
According to latest Economy Watch survey by the Forum of Private Businesses, confidence has been impacted by fears that increases in the Budget culd hit small businesses hard.
Biba calls for freeze on Insurance Premium Tax
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) is urging the Government not to increase the 5% rate of Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) on insurance products in its next Budget on 22 June 2010.
Editor's Comment: Brace yourself for the Budget
Gross domestic product figures were revised upwards to 0.3% growth for the first quarter, suggesting that the UK is on its way back to steady growth. Yet, despite politicians sorting out a coalition government in fast-forward compared to many of our…
Viewpoint: Can there be a claims coalition?
With the UK seeing its first coalition government for half a century, are there lessons to be learned for the insurance industry when it comes to collaboration for the collective good?
News Analysis: First cuts unlikely to be the deepest
Chancellor George Osborne wasted little time in announcing £6.2bn of public sector cuts, yet in the uncertain global context it is hard to judge what their impact will be on the UK economy, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
News review: May
Former insurance broker turned MP, Andrew Stephenson, described being an intermediary under the labour Government as a "nightmare".
News: Biba chief warns Con-Dem leaders of tax hike implications
The chief executive of the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has called on the new coalition Government to avoid taking the "easy option" of raising taxes to cut the deficit.
Biba news: 'Unbelievable change' afoot
Towergate chief executive, Peter Cullum, has predicted that the UK is set for two years of "unbelievable change" under the new coalition Government with the economy and regulation set to top the agenda.
Biba news: 'Black swans' are no longer 'freak' occurrences, cautions Willis boss
Willis chief executive and chairman, Joe Plumeri, has warned the broking industry that 'freak' occurrences are increasing in frequency and that the industry must adapt to this reality to survive.
FBP welcomes coalition policy pledge
The Forum of Private Business claims thousands of smaller businesses could benefit from measures outlined in the coalition agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties published today.
BIBA 2010: Ex-Aviva public affairs head urges Tory colleagues not to scrap IIWG
The former head of public affairs at Aviva and new Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, believes the Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) report should not simply be scrapped because of a change of government.
BIBA 2010: Insurers and brokers warned over "cancerous" credit hire issue
Delegates were warned yesterday that if the industry does not address the issue of credit hire, it will get even more “cancerous” and ultimately ruin the insurance industry’s reputation.
BIBA 2010: Galbraith calls on Government to introduce the "right legislation"
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) is set to launch a major lobbying campaign to promote the role of the broker to the Liberal-Conservative coalition government.
SMEs give wary approval to new Government
The Forum of Private Business has given a cautious welcome to the new Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the formation of a coalition government between his party and the Liberal Democrats.
SMEs crave post-election certainty following hung parliament
The Forum of Private Business has commented on the election result
Legal: Introducing The Equality Act (2010)
The UK's disparate laws on equality based on personal characteristics have been unified with the introduction of The Equality Act (2010). James MacNish Porter and Rachel Dineley explain the big changes that the Act heralds.
Viewpoint: Labour's regulatory record
When Labour swept into office in 1997 they arrived with a manifesto with much to say about financial services. They launched into their promised reforms of the institutions governing the sector, making the Bank of England independent for the first time…
Editor's Comment: Politics isn't about being popular
The Institute of Fiscal Studies last month gave us their verdict on the three parties' departmental spending plans over the next five years. It said that in each case over 75% of necessary cuts over the next five years were missing from their respective…
News Analysis: Is new note approach fit for purpose?
Emmanuel Kenning looks at a change in legislation designed to get people back to work as soon as possible after a period of sickness.
News Analysis: Promoting public financial knowledge
Emmanuel Kenning reviews the formation of an independent body designed to enhance the public's understanding and knowledge of financial services.
Industry professionalism: Where to now?
The rapidly changing world is presenting fresh challenges for brokers. Keith Hector discusses how they must embrace developments in order to prosper and explores what insurers can do to enhance service.
E-commerce: Concern for rural brokers as Broadband Tax plans ditched
Rural broker business could suffer after the Government scrapped Broadband Tax plans designed to enable high-speed internet to be rolled out across the country.
News: SMEs call for post-election stability
The three major parties were accused of treating the small business sector as a "political football" ahead of the general election.
Chubb warns new fit note will not create "duty of care"
The insurer said the new Government scheme could potentially raise some questions with regards to employer’s insurance liability in the event of a claim from an employee