(Hexham Courant, April 2004)

An often used punchline by many husbands (and I am sure this does not apply to those who read the Courant!) refers to the capabilities, or otherwise, of his wife's driving. As amusing as it can be to tease in this way as the car lurches forward to turn for the fourteenth time in what should have been a three point turn, the truth of the matter is that women have lower car insurance than men and this is because they are safer drivers. This riposte on behalf of women has always been the pin which popped our balloon and the incontrovertible fact that undermined our well rehersed jokes. But it seems that all of this could be about to change.

Under current proposals being discussed in the European Parliament lower motor insurance premiums for women are under threat. Despite the fact that women are judged to be safer drivers by the insurance industry, if this 'discrimination' continues companies will find themselves the wrong side of the law as they will not be allowed to account for differences between men and women drivers.

Conservative MEPs voted against the proposals and tabled a series of amendments in an attempt to ensure that women can still benefit from cheaper car insurance. It seems strange that an insurance company, which basically manages risk, is not allowed to take into account the fact that women have fewer serious car accidents than men and that 98% of dangerous driving convictions are against men. By insisting that no business can give different deals to men and women, the proposed law would wipe out the advantages women enjoy in buying car insurance. Business should be free to make their own decisons - it is certainly not for the European Parliament to tell insurers what they charge people.

Martin Callanan MEP
North East; Conservative