Following the cabinet reshuffle responsibility for law reform and civil justice has been handed to Helen Grant MP. One of her first ministerial decisions was to order a welcome rethink of Government plans to cut compensation payments for criminal injury claimants.
Also waiting in her in-tray are Government proposals to extend the limit in the small claims court from £1,000 to £5,000 in personal injury claims. If introduced huge numbers of accident victims will be forced to bring claims without legal representation. Most won't bother, those that do will lack the skills needed to bring a claim successfully against the might of the insurance industry.
A timely reminder of the financial power of insurers comes with news of the floatation of Direct Line, owned by state backed RBS, valued at a colossal £3 billion, and reported to be planning to return between 50% and 60% of its future profits to investors.
If the perverted proposal is implemented it will be Bollinger in the boardrooms and those generous insurers will no doubt lay on sparkling wine at the AGM, financed with compensation intended for people injured by the carelessness of others. Perhaps next time he reaches a crescendo at PMQs Ed Milliband will adjust his mantra and say that this is a Government of millionaires for billionaires?
