Alistair Darling's meeting with ABI board intended to improve dialogue.

The ABI have called meetings with the Chancellor Alistair Darling yesterday constructive.

Darling met with the ABI’s board in the afternoon to discuss ways to build a stronger relationship with the insurance industry.

“It was a constructive discussion and I feel it’s the start of improved dialogue with the treasury,” an ABI spokesman said.

Discussions focused on issues surrounding taxation, particularly involving investment bonds, but no conclusions were drawn, the spokesman added.

Last week the ABI announced it will seek a seat on the tax forum which the government has set up to improve UK competitiveness in order to push its views on corporate tax, capital gains tax and other points of dispute.

The ABI has said it also plans to lobby the government on tax issues surrounding reserves. Excessive reserves are not currently taxed, but it believes the government is about to introduce new taxes in this arena.