Whiplash Claims

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mrs Helen Grant)]

I am today announcing the publication of the Government’s consultation “Reducing the Number and Costs of Whiplash Claims”.

Between 2006-07 and 2011-12 claims for personal injury caused by road traffic accidents increased by around 60%. Over the same period the number of reported road traffic accidents fell by around 20%.

The Government share the widespread concerns about such a disproportionate growth in whiplash claims and its cost to motor insurance policy holders, and is already taking forward work to tackle the issue.

The consultation considers two particular areas. The first is whether independent medical panels should be created and, if so, what model should be adopted.

The second is whether in respect of road traffic accident personal injury claims, the current small claims threshold for pain, suffering and loss of amenity should be increased from £1,000 to £5,000, either for all personal injuries or for whiplash injuries only.

The Government accept that the growth in claims for whiplash injuries is complex, and the consultation considers what more can and should be done by all with an interest in the personal injury sector.

Copies of this Government consultation are available in the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office. The document is also available online at:

http://www.justice.gov.uk.