SCOTTISH GALAS UNDER THREAT AS PUBLIC INSURANCE COSTS SOAR

A number of community gala days in Scotland are reported to be under threat because the organisers cannot afford the rapidly increasing public liability insurance costs, reports The Scotsman . Karen Keil, chair of the September Clermiston and Drumbrae Gala, said that their public liability insurance had gone up from £150 to £750. She branded the 400 per cent rise “horrendous”. Susan Robertson, chair of the Davidson Mains Gala, said they had initially been quoted £800 for insurance, compared with the previous year’s £240 premium, but had eventually secured a £300 deal. The Association of British Insurers has attributed the rises to a claim and blame culture. It noted that in 2002 insurers took in £2.5bn in public liability premiums, but paid out £3bn in claims.