Recession beating job - Become an MP!

April 21st, 2009

MPs’ take 12 week holidays during a recession

If you have ever wondered where to find a job with security, excellent pay, lucrative expense accounts and plenty of time off, why not become an MP?

Whilst the country battles recession and rising unemployment, those fortunate enough to still have a job are either working longer hours for the same money or the same hours for less pay. Yet MPs, fresh from the ‘expenses’ scandal, have now revealed that they will only be sitting in the House of Commons for 143 days this year, seven days fewer than last year. The last day in the Commons, before the proposed 82 day mammoth break, will be July 21st.

Commons leader, Harriet Harman was last night under pressure to review the situation and cut the extended holiday by at least a week.  MPs have already enjoyed a 24 day holiday over the Christmas period and a fortnight over Easter.

Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said MPs should work an extra week in July before disappearing on holiday. He said: “Gordon Brown’s Government is clearly running out of steam. Rather than ministers packing their bags early and heading off to the beach, MPs should be staying here to scrutinise this failing team.”

Last night Ms Harman defended the holiday decision saying that the dates were decided months ago, but TaxPayers Alliance boss Matthew Elliot fumed: “MPs have far too much holiday. Taxpayers who elect them and fund their salaries get nowhere near this amount of holiday.”

Another example of how the Palace of Westminster has become detached from the rest of the country.

Travel Insurance - Do you really need it?

February 17th, 2009

Travel Insurance - The real cost when things go wrong

Whether you are planning your annual family getaway, a short trip without the kids or maybe even an overseas wedding, one of the things that will be on your list of things to do is ‘Travel Insurance’. But, before you rush out and buy, check if you already have cover. Some banks, including HSBC and Alliance & Leicester will include annual family travel insurance free of charge with certain bank accounts. But if not, is it really necessary and what could go wrong if you don’t take out cover.

Medical expenses are potentially one of the biggest expenses you may incur if you have an accident or fall ill abroad. Remember, you are not at home now so if anything happens you may find the system works a little differently if something goes wrong. Many countries will provide you with some form of emergency medical treatment, but if you had to be flown back to the UK quickly, you wouldn’t be covered.  This is what it may cost you:

• £35-45,000 - air ambulance from USA’s East coast
• £12-16,000 - air ambulance from the Canary Islands
• £15-20,000 - scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort from Australia

Cancellation insurance should cover you for the full cost of the holiday if you or any members of your party can’t travel for a variety of reasons including accident, illness, redundancy, a home emergency or bad weather which causes your flights to be cancelled

Baggage and Personal Effects. Don’t take it for granted that your home insurance policy will cover all your personal effects if you travel abroad. Check the small print first, especially if you are thinking of taking some of your more valuable items with you.

Legal Expenses and Personal Liability cover. Imagine being faced with a ‘foreign’ legal system if you are involved in an incident and someone tries to sue you - especially in a country with no legal aid system. This will not only cover your legal expenses but also any payment you are ordered to make.

A good travel insurance will cover you for all of this and more, and with annual multi trip policies from as little £80 for a family of 4, is it really worth taking a chance?

UK and Overseas Wedding Insurance

February 17th, 2009

Advertisement Feature - E&L Insurance for weddings and receptions in the UK and abroad

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Love, Marriage and Wedding Insurance

January 26th, 2009

Wedding Insurance could save the day!

Marriage is one of the most significant events in a person’s life and one of the most costly. According to a survey carried out by The Daily Mail in August 2007, the average cost of a wedding had risen to a staggering £25,000 or about the same as the average national annual income, yet surprisingly few of us consider it be be an expense worth “insuring”. We all insure our houses, cars, personal possessions, our lives and even our holidays but when it comes to one of the single most biggest expenses of our lives, insurance seems to be the last things on our mind. Why is that?

Well, maybe we all get carried away with the occasion or just don’t like to accept that things could actually go wrong. Unfortunately, they can and they do. We all want our big day to go without a hitch, and it’s always safe to be covered just in case the unthinkable happens.  For instance, the photos may not come out, your dress could be damaged, a family member could fall ill or guests could be injured.

The good news is, protecting your big day, needn’t be expensive with comprehensive insurance packages which even cover total cancellation, starting from as little as £30. For more information and quotation, click below.

WEDDING INSURANCE QUOTE AND INFORMATION

We’ve put together a quick checklist of other insurances that you might want to have a look at once your ‘big day’ is over

Life Insurance

Life Insurance should be one of the first things you look at or review once you get married. Remember, you’ve got someone else to think about now.

FOR A QUOTE OR IMPARTIAL ADVICE CLICK HERE

Health Insurance

Combining Health Insurance policies can save you money or if you are part of an ‘employer’ health plan it may be more cost effective to move your wife/husband over to your plan. It’s important to review the benefits and features of your existing Health Insurance plans to see if they need updating now that you are married.

CLICK HERE FOR ADVICE OR A QUOTE

Car Insurance

Don’t forget to tell your insurance company of your change in circumstances and in many cases married couples will get a discount. Now you are living under one roof and both cars are at the same address see if you can benefit from a multi car discount.

CAR INSURANCE FROM SWIFT COVER

Home Insurance

Wedding rings and wedding gifts all need to be covered so check with your insurers to make sure you have adequate cover. If you want to review your insurance arrangements or need cover for the first time, click below

TESCO FINEST HOME INSURANCE