APIL accuses Osborne of hypocrisy over expected insurance premium tax increase

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has accused Chancellor George Osborne of hypocrisy over his reported plan to increase the insurance premium tax in today’s Budget.

Jonathan Wheeler, the President of APIL (pictured), said that any increase would almost certainly result in an increase in car insurance premiums.

“Yet, in November’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor was so determined to reduce car insurance premiums that he announced the right to claim damages for some whiplash injuries would be removed,” said Wheeler.

“The fact that, on the one hand, the Chancellor is prepared to sacrifice the right to claim damages for injuries in the hope that premiums will fall and, on the other, actively to do something which will increase premiums simply smacks of hypocrisy.

“The right to claim damages from someone who has injured you is a right which is ancient and precious and which must be preserved,” he added.

“The Chancellor’s cavalier approach to that right shows a callous disregard for the plight of vulnerable and injured people.”

Mark Dugdale