Insurance CEOs to call for change in discount rate rules at Chancellor meeting today

The CEOs of fifteen of the UK’s biggest motor and commercial liability insurers will today meet the Chancellor and call on him to intervene and stop Liz Truss’s ‘crazy’ decision to cut the discount rate.

The announcement by Liz Truss that the discount rate would be cut from 2.5% to -0.75% triggered predictions from insurance experts that premiums for young drivers could rise by up to £1,000 a year. Estimates also suggest that it could cost the NHS around an extra £1billion a year in compensation bills. 

Top level representatives from the insurance industry are now heading to see Chancellor Phillip Hammond, and will call for a swift change in the law through the Prison and Courts Bill to stop the change hitting motorists, businesses and taxpayers. 

ABI Director General Huw Evans said:

“The Chancellor will today hear just how concerned insurers are about the way this change will hit their customers. It makes no sense to do something that will inevitably pile costs onto motorists, businesses and taxpayers at such a difficult time based on a broken formula. It is not too late for the Government to deliver a fairer deal for consumers and claimants and it should commit to urgent reform of the law before this crazy decision becomes a reality.”


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Notes for Editors

1.    Enquiries to:
Malcolm Tarling                020 7216 7410    Mobile: 07776 147667
Lauren Gow                      020 7216 7327    Mobile: 07889 641702
Sarah Cordey                   020 7216 7375    Mobile: 07860 189071

1.    The Association of British Insurers is the leading trade association for insurers and providers of long term savings. Our 250 members include most household names and specialist providers who contribute £12bn in taxes and manage investments of £1.6 trillion. 

2.    An ISDN line is available for broadcast

3.    More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.