Whiplash debate and respecting people’s rights

The fizz laid on for tomorrow’s ABI Motor Conference has already gone flat. Liz Truss has dropped George Osborne’s whiplash baby, confounding a relentless and expensive lobbying campaign by an industry that has long had close links with the Conservative party.

For now, at least. The Ministry of Justice has insisted it will come up with its own proposals by the end of the year, so claimant lawyers should not uncork their champagne quite yet.

Government and industry pledges that motor premiums would fall by £50 were always so much spin. There was never to be an audit trail to ensure any ‘savings’ would not simply be taken to profits. And, as Thompsons points out, the insurers have failed to produce a shred of independent evidence to justify any increase in the small claims limit.

But, as she ponders her next move, we urge the lord chancellor not to overlook what is really at issue here, as articulated by the Law Society.

The best way to deal with fraud is to target the fraudsters – not to restrict people’s legal rights, which will penalise honest claimants who have been genuinely injured and have legitimate claims.

People must still be able to claim for the injuries they suffer through no fault of their own. Let us hope this welcome hiatus is evidence that our new lord chancellor accepts this.