Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how he plans to enact the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services in respect of insurance services.

The government believes that it is important that consumers have access to suitable insurance products at the right price.

Although various factors can impact on availability, pricing and terms of insurance policies, the Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2012 state that insurers cannot price risk on the grounds of gender alone.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, including insurance firms. The FCA continues to actively investigate issues surrounding access to financial services. It recently opened its ‘future approach to consumers’ consultation paper, which includes a focus on understanding access to and exclusion from financial services.