EU slams the brakes on cheaper insurance for women

Euro-MP Paul Nuttall

A European Union court opinion that could lead to women across Britain facing higher insurance premiums has been criticised by a North West Euro MP.

The opinion, produced by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, states that ‘differences between people which can be linked merely statistically to their sex must not lead to different treatment of male and female insured persons.’

At the moment, the majority of the 16.5 million women drivers in Britain enjoy lower insurance rates than their male counterparts because they are less likely to be involved in accidents.

Paul Nuttall, who represents the UK Independence Party in the European Parliament, said today: “I am dumbfounded by the opinion which reeks of the worst kind of cynical political correctness.

“I think it is appalling that the EU has the right to force women in my constituency to pay more for their car insurance.”

The opinion, which is based on the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, can override British courts and the European Court of Justice will give its final judgement next month.

The Conservatives fought this year’s General Election with a promise to negotiate an opt-out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, but this commitment was dropped once they entered into coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Nuttall said: “This is just another example of why we should not only negotiate an opt-out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, but why we should have a referendum to decide whether we want to remain part of the European Union at all.”