How did you celebrate the DRA exemption?

Probably without the panache of these lads from FC Stjarnan,  

but whether you just breathed a sigh of relief or threw an all-night party it’s certainly a positive start to 2011 for all of us in the group risk market.  The nightmare scenario of businesses, faced with huge liabilities, scrapping their group benefits altogether has been averted.

The Government’s decision should ensure that employers continue to make group risk benefits an integral part of employees’ welfare packages. With the prospect of the long-term dilution of state benefits, it’s all the more important that the Government encourages businesses to pick up the slack, and avoids regulation which will discourage group benefits provision in the workplace.

Collective thanks are due to the Regs team at GRiD for taking the case for the exemption to Government so effectively.