The UK’s Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) has published its report into the medium and long-term challenges facing the country’s insurance industry.
The group was commissioned in October 2008 to look into the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s Insurance Industry. It is co-chaired by Chancellor of the Exchequer [Finance], Alistair Darling and Andrew Moss, Group Chief Executive of Aviva, and includes leading figures from across the insurance industry. Its findings will be reported to the Chancellor’s High-Level Group on City [i.e. London’s] Competitiveness, which will meet later this year.
A press bulletin from the Treasury office notes that the “report sets out a Vision for the UK insurance industry in 2020 as the leading global insurance center with an unsurpassed reputation for excellence, a deep and constructive relationship with its customers and a close and effective partnership with Government.”
Among its findings and conclusions, the report recommends the following:
— Action from the insurance industry, Government and the FSA [Financial Services Authority] to increase customer confidence and trust through improving financial education and considering further steps to improve transparency, simplicity and access for consumers.
— A partnership between the insurance industry and Government to better manage risk in society and to explore options to increase savings and protection provision. For example Government and industry should consider sharing data and research findings that can help efforts to reduce the likely impact of different risks, such as flood risk and crime.
— Work to help consumers manage financial distress, building on the Government’s financial capability initiatives. The insurance industry should work with Government to assess the scope for a greater industry role, where it is commercially viable, such as helping people with the need for a retirement income and help with long term care.
— Encouraging capital flows into the UK insurance industry by ensuring its competitive position in the global marketplace is maintained and enhanced.
Chancellor Darling commented: “The insurance industry is a vital part of the UK economy, employing around a third of all people who work in financial services and managing almost £1.5 trillion [$2.47 trillion] in assets.
“While the industry has fared well relative to other financial sectors in the face of the global financial crisis, it is facing the challenge of an increasingly competitive global market. I welcome the industry’s commitment to work in partnership with Government to improve confidence in insurance products, enhance financial capability and further build the competitiveness of this key British industry.”
Andrew Moss added: “The insurance industry makes a great contribution to the UK economy. Taking forward the recommendations in this report will create a stronger partnership between Government and the industry, which is essential to help people manage the risks of everyday life.
“There is a real desire for better customer engagement through greater financial education and awareness, improved accessibility and transparency of products and a need to attract capital to the UK insurance industry. Taking steps now will build customer confidence and deliver our vision to become the world’s leading insurance center.”
The IIWG was set up by the Government in 2006 “to develop and support a strategy for promoting London as a world-leading financial center,” said the bulletin. It includes representatives of life, non-life and wholesale insurers and insurance brokers. The group is supported by a secretariat provided by HM Treasury and the Association of British Insurers [ABI].
The group has discussed “a range of issues affecting the long-term competitiveness of the UK’s insurance industry and developed a vision for the insurance industry for 2020. Its report will be considered by the Chancellor as chair of the High Level Group on City Competitiveness.”
The full report may be obtained on the Treasury’s web site at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/fin_insuranceindustry270709.pdf
Source: HM Treasury Department
Topics Market
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