Council claims fraud
One in every three claims against local councils may be fraudulent or exaggerated, according to a survey from Alarm, the public sector risk management group. The survey found that more than half of fraudulent claims were opportunist, while councils were increasingly becoming the victims of organised crime with 35% of claims being premeditated.
Marsh hires Shaw
Marsh has appointed Brian Shaw to lead its UK public sector practice. Shaw will head a team that provides a wide range of transactional and consultancy solutions to central government departments and executive agencies, local authorities, emergency services and social housing groups.
Fire alarm crusade
The Association of Specialist Fire Protection is collecting information about fire protection systems that are installed for criminal purposes in an effort to rid the construction industry of cowboy operators. The evidence will be passed on and pursued through relevant routes, such as Building Control and Trading Standards. The association can be contacted on 01252 739 142.
Folgate motor panel
Folgate Masterplan, the network owned by the Folgate Partnership, has launched its private motor panel, acceler8, to help members develop business.
Yemen rates down
London Market underwriters have agreed to reduce hull and machinery war additional premium rates for the Yemen marine market war facility.
This follows work that has been carried out on security facilities and procedures at Yemeni ports since the 'Limburg' attack by terrorists in late 2002.
Marcus Baker, the managing director of Marsh's marine and energy practice, said the decision followed a security survey and report carried out at Yemeni ports by Hudson Trident, an international maritime security services specialist.
