IP Task Force addresses ESA with adviser roadshows

The Income Protection Task Force (IPTF) is addressing long term disability and the new Employment Support Allowance (ESA) with a series of nationwide adviser seminars.

The roadshows are designed to educate IFAs on the need and importance of IP along with the high incidence rate and financial consequences of long term disability.

IFAs can meet protection experts, and presentations by insurers and specialist consultants will aim to better equip advisers to increase their IP sales.

As reported by COVER earlier this week, the Department for Work and Pensions announced plans to scrap the previous Incapacity Benefit in October and fully replace it with the often controversial and stricter ESA.

The ESA was originally unveiled for new claimants only in late 2008, with the aim of eventually slashing one million people from the incapacity benefits system.

Glasgow and Edinburgh will host the first two roadshows on April 28 and 29 respectively, which are being held in conjunction with Royal London Group members Scottish Provident and Bright Grey.

Future dates at Bristol and London are still to be confirmed, and Clive Waller, co-chairman of the Income Protection Task Force, expects others to follow.

"As our industry becomes a profession, advisers will need to ensure that their clients are protected against foreseeable contingencies such as long term illness, and they will arguably be negligent if they do not," he says.

"Moreover, such good advice for the client is also good for the practice as it provides another income stream."

Jennifer Gilchrist, senior product development manager at Scottish Provident, is delighted to be supporting the roadshows.

"The importance of finding solutions to protect your income, particularly at this time of economic uncertainty, cannot be overstated," she says.