UK pushes for a deal with EU on sex bias in insurance

UK Ministers are hopeful that a deal can be struck with the European Union that will prevent a rise in insurance premiums because of plans to outlaw sex discrimination. Under the European Commission's 'Proposal for a Council Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services', it would be illegal to use gender in calculating premiums and benefits for insurance, pensions, annuities and similar financial transactions.