News: 06/12/2011 - Campaign update

EMAG's AGM on 17 November in Birmingham was well–attended and heard a rousing speech from Fabian Hamilton MP on why EMAG must not give up campaigning, and offering advice to EMAG members on how best to influence their MPs.

We are seeing a dramatic increase in dialogue between EMAG constituents and their MPs, and the many letters we've seen indicate that the Treasury is feeling the pressure. Many MPs have asked awkward questions in Parliament, again prompted by their constituents.

Freedom of Information Requests are also turning up the heat on the Treasury, which is obviously deeply embarrassed at being found out on the pathetic delivery of compensation so far — less than 1,000 people out of one million.

The Treasury is also on the rack over the plight of the pre–1992 with profits annuitants (WPAs). Faced with the evidence from independent actuary David Forfar, they appear unable to provide a rebuttal. We await their formal response to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) with interest.

We hear that our plight is a hot topic of conversation in the Parliamentary tearooms and there is a mood among MPs that ‘something must be done’. This is an improvement on the earlier belief in Treasury reassurance that Equitable's compensation has been ‘sorted’.

You can view an extract from MP Fabian Hamilton's speech here:

Fabian Hamilton MP at EMAG AGM November 2011