Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Heald and Luke Hall

Tuesday 7th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) (Con)]

4. What progress has been made on ensuring that only legitimate whiplash claims are successful.

[The Minister for Courts and Justice (Sir Oliver Heald)]

Measures to disincentivise minor, exaggerated and fraudulent whiplash claims are being taken forward in the Prisons and Courts Bill and through changes to reduce the cost of litigation by increasing the small claims limit.

[Luke Hall]

Whiplash claims have increased by 50% over the past decade, at a time when cars are becoming safer and the number of road traffic accidents is falling. Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it is time for reform? Can he confirm the extent to which consumers will benefit through lower car insurance premiums, and how does he intend to hold insurance companies to their side of the bargain?

[Sir Oliver Heald]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point to the fact that as cars have become safer there have been fewer road traffic accidents. It is shocking that whiplash cases have gone up by over 50% in the past 10 years. The reforms I mentioned will, taken together as a package, ensure that the genuinely injured receive compensation, and fraudulent and exaggerated claims are tackled.