Penning brands motor ruling 'crass'

The government’s roads minister has branded as a “crass decision” the European Court of Justice’s ban on using gender when pricing insurance contracts.

Transport junior minister Mike Penning used his keynote speech at the House of Commons launch of Biba’s new research on regulation and the contribution of broking to the UK economy to criticise the March 1st ruling.

Commenting on the decision, which will result in hikes in premiums for young women drivers, he said: “It’s a crass decision by the court to make you guys change the way you look at your policies.”

“This court decision has damaged the link between insurance and risk,” he said.

“I think the European Court is as foolish as some of us have suspected it is.”

Penning also told the event that continuous insurance enforcement will help drive uninsured drivers off the road.