Politics
Microinsurance: Up close
Microinsurance is set to grow exponentially over the next decade but what opportunities are there for reinsurers to become involved, asks Katherine Blackler.
Bermuda: Will the sun set on the island?
Could tax increases on Bermuda lead to increased reinsurer defection? Tim Evershed investigates.
HMRC admits defeat in aggregator VAT battle
HM Revenue & Customs has decided against appealing its long-running aggregator VAT battle to the Supreme Court.
LSB continues to build referral fees evidence
The Legal Services Board has received the advice of the Legal Services Consumer Panel on referral fees.
Career development & CSR news: Working together to beat the recession
Recent figures indicate that the UK economy grew between February and April this year. It seems almost too good to be true to think that, after 18 months of economic crisis, the tide may be turning for UK businesses.
Employment tribunals - cost recovery: Getting your money back
When claimants take their employer to a tribunal and lose, costs are rarely awarded. Andrew McDonald explores why this recovery is becoming increasingly important.
Biba kicks off lobbying with Treasury meeting
British Insurance Brokers' Association chief executive Eric Galbraith has voiced his concerns over the latest wording of the Bribery Act 2010, warning the new government it must learn from its predecessor's handling of the insurance premium tax issue.
Editor's comment: M&A activity is steady, with some green shoots
This year has seen only a steady drip of merger and acquisition activity, rather than a flurry, something that was noted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers in its European Financial Services M&A Insight published yesterday.
Irish to sell VHI
The Irish government has revealed it is to sell state-owned medical insurer VHI after injecting capital into the firm.
Lib-Con targeted FSA to recruit 460 more staff
The Financial Services Authority has confirmed that its annual funding requirement for 2010/11 is £454.7m following a consultation.
New ABI chairman outlines challenges ahead
Tim Breedon, group chief executive of Legal & General has been nominated to become the next chairman of the Association of British Insurers.
Looking Back 10 years: Government to centralise insurance
The government wants to set up a single standard insurance package for MPs and their staff in a move to replace the existing antiquated system.
Legal update - Mandatory mediation: Working together
With Italy making mediation mandatory before a civil or commercial dispute can go to court, Michael Dawson looks at whether the UK will follow suit.
Biba to lobby coalition
The British Insurance Brokers' Association is set to launch a major lobbying campaign to promote the role of the broker to the Liberal-Conservative coalition government.
FSA in limbo as coalition puts Bank of England in charge
The coalition government has granted macro-prudential regulation of financial services to the Bank of England to rectify the "defective" tripartite system, according to the Treasury.
CEA welcomes EU/US Japan Post Insurance talks
The European insurance and reinsurance federation, CEA, has welcomed joint EU and US effort to address the Japanese government’s preferential treatment of Japan Post Insurance.
Apil “bitterly disappointed” at Queen’s Speech damages omission
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has expressed its disappointment at the coalition government’s decision to leave the draft Civil Law Reform Bill out of the Queen’s Speech.
Law firm warns government against hasty reform of financial institutions
Beachcroft has warned the government against trying to rush through financial reform "in pursuit of favourable headlines".
Queen backs independent fiscal agency
The Queen's speech 2010 has outlined addressing the budget deficit as the key issue for the coming year, with the formation of a new ‘Office for Budget Responsibility’ seen as a measure to address the UK’s £6bn deficit.
Deficit will be cut through ‘reduced spending not increased taxes’
In her speech to mark the state opening of Parliament, the Queen has said that “dealing with the deficit and continuing to ensure the economic recovery is the most urgent issue facing Britain”.
Government outlines Bank of England intentions
The coalition government has introduced a bill to increase the power of the Bank of England as part of the Queen’s Speech.
CCIR praises EU for blasting US reinsurance tax proposals
The Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates (CCIR) has commended the European Union for "speaking out against a controversial tax proposal” on affiliated reinsurance included in President Obama's 2011 budget proposal.
No clarification for insurers as banking reform announced
The coalition government has confirmed it will reform the regulation of the banking system, but failed to mention regulation of insurers in its programme for government published today.
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 report should not simply be scrapped because of a change of government.