Compensation for Equitable Life victims

VICTIMS of the Equitable Life collapse can finally expect compensation as Liberal Democrat MPs push forward new legislation. North Devon MP Nick Harvey has described the announcement as a massive relief for the millions of people who lost up to half th

VICTIMS of the Equitable Life collapse can finally expect compensation as Liberal Democrat MPs push forward new legislation.

North Devon MP Nick Harvey has described the announcement as a "massive relief" for the millions of people who lost up to half their pensions in the collapse.

The Equitable Life Bill, which was outlined to the House of Commons on Wednesday, will give the Treasury the authority to make payments to policyholders or dependents who have been fighting for compensation since 2000. A previous Liberal Democrat motion to get compensation for the millions of people involved was defeated in October 2009.

Nick Harvey said: "The previous Government continually ignored the millions of people who lost their savings. People in North Devon lost up to half their pensions in the fiasco, yet Labour failed to act, ignoring Liberal Democrat advice, ignoring the High Court and ignoring an Ombudsman report.

"This Bill is a massive relief to thousands of pensioners and is long overdue.

I am delighted that something the Liberal Democrats have been calling for can now finally happen. We are using our position in Government to give policyholders the money they deserve.