Written question asked by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 October 2003. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to issue guidance to the insurance industry advising that companies with proven good records in health and safety should have that reflected in lower insurance premiums.

Answer: Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to issue guidance to the insurance industry advising that companies with proven good records in health and safety should have that reflected in lower insurance premiums. [132845] Mr. Browne: The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recently announced an initiative "Making the Market Work" under which an ABI/lnsurer assessment committee will advise trade associations on their health and safety schemes taking into account best practice features that employers' liability compulsory insurance (ELCI) insurers expect to see in place. Government are also working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to link its `risk profiling' tools to insurers underwriting decisions. These initiatives are a first step towards ensuring that insurance premiums better reflect the health and safety records of companies.

Secondary information