Government Must Follow Insurance Industry's Lead - Cotter

4.02.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Aug 2003

Brian Cotter MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Small Business Minister

Brian Cotter MP, the Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Small Business, welcomed the joint announcement by the Association of British Insurers and British Insurance Brokers' Association to introduce a new service standard in November, which will require members to give at least 21 days notice of renewal terms on liability policies.

Brian Cotter said,

"With some businesses only being told 3 days before their cover was due to run out that their policies would not be renewed this is a definitely a move in the right direction from the insurance industry."

"It is only a shame that the Government still hasn't delivered on its part of the deal. Notice periods need to be coupled with action from the Department of Work and Pensions to make insurance affordable."

"The Government launched its enquiry last November and yet so far it has yielded nothing."

"The DWP must follow the example set by the insurance industry and take action now."