23 July 2010

Emma Harrison, the chairman of government employment contractor A4e, was enthusiastic in her support of David Cameron’s announcement that volunteers groups would be able to buy public liability certificates for £5 or £10 per month. The Prime Minister invited members of the Big Society Network of volunteers, including Emma Harrison, to Downing Street last week. He announced that he was working with the insurance industry to create a ‘Big Society’ insurance policy that would cover individuals involved in community projects.

Earlier this week a group of residents from Dudley were prevented from mowing local grass verges by the county council because they didn’t have insurance. The council had stopped cutting the grass to save costs. “At the moment, people are terrified of getting sued – that’s all got to stop. People need to know that they are covered,” said Ms Harrison. If you want to go and do something in your little community group, then you should be able to. For small self-help groups the ability to buy public liability insurance for £10 allows them to get on and do what they want to do. The Prime Minister said that he was committed to building a society where you can help people, and that nothing should be allowed to get in the way of that,” said Ms Harrison.