US arm to take the brunt as Aon spells out global job cuts

Aon is to reveal a breakdown this week of the 1,500-1,800 job cuts planned globally in the next three years, including any UK losses.

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission last week, Aon revealed that 5% of the workforce faced redundancy as part of a restructuring plan related to its acquisition of US-based consultancy Hewitt Associates. The broker did not specify where the cuts would be made, saying only that they would be mostly non-client-facing roles.

Most are expected to be in the USA, where Hewitt and Aon Consulting – the unit with which it is being merged – are based. But it is possible the UK could be affected.

Hewitt derived 10% of its net revenue for the year to 30 September 2009 from the UK, according to an SEC filing. It had 23,000 employees in 32 countries at the end of September 2009.

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source: Insurance Times

Police cars to have national livery in savings plan

The UK's 54 police forces hope to save £3.4m every year through a new deal that will see all vehicles branded with a national livery.

Forces looking for a patrol car for beat officers will be restricted to buying from four manufacturers. The deal includes all English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish forces, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and British Transport Police. Currently the forces spend around £83m on 5,600 vehicles each year.

In a statement, David Horne, of the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA), said the money saved was a significant amount.

Beat officers seeking a new patrol car will be able to choose from "ready to drive" models that will need minimal or no modification. They will be able to select only certain models of Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot or Hyundai, while forces seeking a high-performance traffic vehicle - which police often use while on motorway patrol - will be able to choose from certain BMW, Audi or Volvo models. Other manufacturers in the preferred suppliers' list include Jaguar, Iveco and VW should forces decide they need other types of vehicles including motorbikes, vans and armoured VIP saloons.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Row over Surrey roads as insurance claims rise

About £700,000 is being taken from Surrey County Council's road repairs budget to settle insurance claims by motorists for damaged vehicles.

Independent councillors have criticised the move by the Tory-run council and said rising insurance claims were a result of a failure to maintain roads. Tory councillor and cabinet transport spokesman Ian Lake said roads were being repaired and being kept safe.

Pothole repairs in Surrey became a key election issue earlier this year. Independent councillor Eber Kington said insurance claims by motorists against the council had risen dramatically from 201 in 2006 to 1,676 last year.

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source: BBC

Car insurance costs rise by new record, says AA

The AA has recorded the biggest jump in the cost of car insurance since it started tracking the market, with young people bearing the brunt of the rise.

Figures due to be published this week show premiums for 17 to 22-year-olds have risen by 47% in a year.

Young male drivers are paying the most, with the average of the three cheapest quotes they get being £2,457. That is nearly double the premiums offered to young women, the motoring group said.

The insurance costs are being blamed on another surge in claims for injuries sustained in accidents. "If you have an accident which leaves someone disabled, the claim can be up to £15m," said Simon Douglas, director of insurance at the AA.

source: BBC News

Guide will help customers understand rental

Rental companies are being urged to issue customers a new, easy-to-follow 'key facts' document setting out the main terms and conditions associated with hiring a car.

Produced by the BVRLA in conjunction with its members, the guide tells customers where they stand on issues including fuel, mileage, insurance, damage, late returns and traffic fines. It also explains what they should expect from the rental company.

Produced in response to a European Commission call for more user-friendly information summarising key contractual terms, the document is now available for BVRLA members to use as part of their pre-rental process.

"Customers need to bear in mind that they are renting an expensive and often powerful piece of equipment and that there are terms and conditions involved," said BVRLA chief executive John Lewis. "If we, as an industry, can make these clear at a pre-booking stage or before taking possession of the vehicle, we should be able to reduce the number of misunderstandings or disputes that occur further down the line."

To join the BVRLA and get access to this guide click here...

source: BVRLA

Sunderland draws up electric car charging points plan

Plans to install 30 charging points for electric vehicles have been drawn up by Sunderland City Council.

There are to be a total of 30 Elektrobay points split between 11 council-run car parks. Locations include the multi-storey car park at the Civic Centre, Houghton, Washington, Roker and Seaburn.

Electric vehicles are plugged into the post, and are allowed up to four hours free parking during re-charging with the free electricity.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We're seeing a lot of technological development in the North East for electric vehicles, and Sunderland is at the heart of these developments. "The charging points will help make it easier for electric vehicle owners across all of Sunderland."

In March Japanese car firm Nissan announced that its new electric car - the Leaf - would be built at its Sunderland plant.

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source: BBC

'Homes and cars' smoking ban call by Wales' chief medic

The smoking ban should be extended to the home and private cars to protect children from second-hand smoke, says Wales' top doctor.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said it was "unfair for children to bear the brunt of other people's habits". He said if the assembly government extended the ban on smoking to private cars and encouraged smoke-free policies in homes where children live, it would help to discourage children from taking up smoking themselves in later life and may help some adults to quit.

The Tobacco Manufacturers Association's said "In private vehicles, adults should be free to smoke, provided they do not light up or smoke in a way that would distract from safe driving. They should also show due consideration for other occupants and dispose of cigarette ends responsibly in ashtrays."

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source: BBC

Most rental companies already prohibit smoking in their vehicles. If you're a rental company and would like to find out more about RIVAL Insurance Services click here...

Government to scrap M4 bus lane

The controversial M4 bus lane is to be scrapped at the end of the year.

All motorists will again be able to use the 3.5-mile (5.6km) lane, which operates on the London-bound carriageway from near Heathrow Airport.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the move, saying the bus lane was "not effective".

It will be suspended from 24 December for 18 months when the lane come back into use for the Olympics, after which it will be scrapped for good. The motorway's third lane between junctions three and two - which carries about 7% of London-bound traffic - is reserved for buses, licensed black taxis and motorcycles.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Rentals Radio Podcast - Toby Poston on the BVRLA's support of the car and van rental industry

Established in 1967, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is the trade body for companies engaged in the leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles.

Its members provide short-term self-drive rental, leasing hire and fleet management services to corporate users and consumers. Through its 750 member companies and their customers, the BVRLA represents the interests of more than two-and-a-half million people who drive at work and the 10 million people who use a rental vehicle each year.

In this edition of the Rentals Radio show, Toby Poston from the British Vehicle and Rental Leasing Association (BVRLA) shares his thoughts with Peter Roper on why it is so successful in supporting the car and van rental industry.

To hear the latest podcast from the BVRLA's Toby Poston click here...

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source: Rentals Radio - Positive Ground Radio