INSURANCE: Compensation culture hits finances of voluntary groups

Venturers Search and Rescue, which organises teens to help people or animals in distress, last week warned that its future may be in doubt because it is unable to get public liability insurance.

A Wales Council for Voluntary Action report this month revealed that voluntary groups in Wales are facing insurance premium increases of between 100 and 330 per cent. One case cited is of a children's centre in Bridgend where annual premiums have increased from 1,290 to 3,055 for the year.

Last summer, many of the groups affiliated to the conservation and regeneration organisation BTCV had to suspend activities when its insurer suddenly decided not to renew its policy. And Britain's oldest children's charity, Coram Family, has seen the cost of its professional indemnity cover rise from 3,000 to 10,000 a year.