Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Sturdy and Karl McCartney

Tuesday 7th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

13. What progress the Government have made in levelling up all regions of the UK.

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

18. What steps his Department is taking to encourage regional growth across the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julian Sturdy and Karl McCartney

Tuesday 4th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

3. What plans he has to ensure that young offenders leave custody better equipped to avoid a life of crime.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

5. What plans he has to ensure that young offenders leave custody better equipped to avoid a life of crime.

Cost of Motor Insurance

Debate between Julian Sturdy and Karl McCartney

Tuesday 8th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Karl MᶜCartney]

Remarkably, my hon. Friend picks up on the second point of my plan. Secondly, we should have an insurance sticker on every windscreen, just as we do for the current tax disc, that proves that a car is insured. Thirdly, we need far tougher sentences for those caught driving uninsured, with the minimum fine in each area being the double the average insurance cost in that area for the age and gender of the person caught. Fourthly, where someone is caught and prosecuted for driving uninsured, they should automatically lose their driving licence for a set period, perhaps at least one year. That should certainly be the case for a second offence and perhaps the period should be longer—say five years—for subsequent offences. Fifthly, when someone is caught and prosecuted for driving uninsured for at least the third time, they should perhaps go to prison—only for a short time—and be given a lifetime driving ban. Sixthly, if someone causes a serious accident while driving uninsured, they should go to prison and be given a lifetime driving ban. Seventhly, juries and magistrates should be made aware of whether false vehicle insurance claims had been made by those making a subsequent vehicle insurance claim that has reached the court.

Eighthly, those making false insurance vehicle claims that reach the courts should be prosecuted and actively pursued by the relevant police force. My penultimate point is that the names and addresses of those prosecuted for driving uninsured should be published widely. Finally, we must support both the clampdown on insurers being able to trade personal data of those involved in accidents and the regulation of the monopoly and sharp practices currently engaged in by insurers and the legal profession that see the motorist paying through insurance premiums and general taxation for their unwillingness to stamp out fraudulent and speculative claims, such as personal injury and hire car charges. These moves are just the start, and throughout my time in Parliament I am going to continue to campaign for justice for the insured drivers of our country.

[Julian Sturdy]

I agree with my hon. Friend that tougher action is required. Is he surprised to hear that 10% of drivers aged under 34 do not realise it is compulsory to have motor insurance?