Sex Discrimination & The Elderly Won't Quit

NCD News: Sex Discrimination & The Elderly Won't Quit - 11.11.09

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Sex Discrimination & The Elderly Won't Quit: >>>> It is estimated that 1.8 million people will be working past the state retirement age in ten years time according to research conducted by Prudential. The current number is just 750,000 people. The results of the survey of 500 company directors also showed that the trend was more obvious in larger companies, where two fifths of finance directors expected their staff to retire late. The companies also expected to see an increase in operational costs as a result, with medical insurances and death in service payouts increasing. Workers in the north of England were most likely to work the longest with 16% expected to work past retirement by 2019, while in the south east it is just 2.4%.

>>>> The Post Office has been named the UK's favourite supplier of travel insurance and foreign exchange at the British Travel Awards. The title of Best Travel Insurance Company has been won by the Post Office for the last 4 years. More than 100,000 votes were cast by both the public and professionals in the industry. Sarah Munro of the Post Office has said said they are delighted to have won again and she points out that the ease of access to their 11,500 branches may be the reason customers are so happy with their service.

>>>> Ellis Sherwood of Cardiff is considering suing for compensation after he suffered a drugs induced stroke while in prison for a crime he was later acquitted of. Mr Sherwood spent 11 years in prison for the murder of Philip Saunders but was freed after an appeal in 1999. He suffered the stroke 2 years after leaving prison, but it has been asserted by his lawyers that it was caused by prolonged use of heroin while inside. Mr Sherwood claims he would never have started using drugs if he hadn't been in prison. The Conservatives have expressed concern that any compensation payout could set a precedent for many more cases of this nature. It has been suggested that Mr Sherwood has already received £1.4m in compensation so far.

>>>> BMI and British Airways are both reportedly fighting the Government's plans to increase the amount of compensation travellers can receive if their luggage is lost. The proposal for a 13.1% increase in the amount of compensation has been drawn up by the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization and would see the amount a passenger can claim rising from £972 to £1099 from next year. BA have argued that during a recession the increase was inappropriate. One would assume that they mean inappropriate for themselves, not for the passengers who often receive less than half of what their frequently lost belongings are worth. They could, of course, stop losing the bags in the first place.

>>>> Bolton Council is to pay £3m in compensation to 1600 staff members in a bid to stop them suing for damages after being paid less than male counterparts in similar job roles. This comes just 3 years after they paid £9m in compensation to 2000 workers to avoid similar claims. The right to sue was waived as part of the deal. The Council claim that this is the best way to fairly settle the pay equality claims and avoid possible millions in legal fees should the cases reach the courts.

>>>> Allianz has reported better than expected results for the end of the third quarter. They have attributed this to strength in their life insurance businesses and in asset management. This has led to a 23% jump in operating profits. Despite the good news, they have failed to offer a forecast for the end of the year or for next year. It is thought that they may fear large claims due to winter storms.

>>>> Meanwhile Hiscox and Beazley have both reported significant increases in premium income over the first 9 months of 2009. The Lloyds associated insurance companies have seen a 32% and 45% increase in premium income respectively. The has been put down to increased premium prices in reinsurance and a quiet hurricane season.

>>>> Research from Moneysupermarket.com has shown that men pay 71% more for their car insurance than women. To make matters worse, men in their 20's pay 112% more for their insurance than men in their 30's. Steve Sweeney of Moneysupermarket.com says that many insurance companies tend to view women as safer drivers and this is reflected in the premiums and also in the rate of decrease for women's premiums as they age.

>>>> According to Simplyhealth 75% of people have avoided having an eye test due to worries about the cost. This is despite eye tests being free for people on the NHS and for everyone in Scotland. The survey which was conducted in conjunction with the Eyecare trust was held to mark National Eye week from November 9 to 15. Simplyhealth naturally point out they offer a plan which can pay for eye tests and for glasses.

>>>> Research by uSwitch has shown that 12% of people are having driving lessons with family and friends rather than with experts, this is despite 17% of these people admitting it was a bad experience. 7% of those being taught were sure that the person teaching them had not checked their insurance to make sure they were covered for a learner driver. Uswitch warn that the learner driver must be named on the insurance before lessons can begin. †