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<p>Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations
in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and
delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental
business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travel"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travel</a>.</p><p>Under
the independent Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules, insurers are required to
handle claims fairly and promptly and settle claims quickly once settlement terms
are agreed. The FCA has also outlined that all deductions from business interruption
insurance settlements should be assessed on a case-by-case basis as policies differ
significantly. The FCA may intervene and take further actions where firms do not appear
to be meeting their expectations.</p><p> </p><p>Policyholders who feel that their
claim has not been handled fairly may be able to refer the matter to the Financial
Ombudsman Service, an independent body set up to provide arbitration in such cases.</p><p>
</p><p>The information requested on business insurance premiums is not held. The Government
works closely with the FCA and insurers to support businesses who are under pressure
from the rising cost of living. The Government recognises the impact of increased
costs on small businesses and has taken unprecedented action to protect millions of
businesses, including the Recovery Loan Scheme, which has been extended until June
2024, cutting business rates by 75% for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses
in 2022-23, support via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, and increasing the Employment
Allowance to £5,000.</p>
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