Absence management procedures have not kept pace with technology and the way Britain works, resulting in serious welfare, management and productivity issues, a new report has said.

Ellipse has entered the group income protection (GIP) market with the launch of its InteractPlus product which includes an integrated absence management system.

One of the most controversial developments in the protection industry over recent months has been the use of Subject Access Requests (SARs). Russ Whitworth told Owain Thomas a war with doctors may not actually be on the cards

L&G has given the use of Subject Access Requests (SARs) a ringing endorsement and said they produce much better results than other methods of obtaining medical information.

Canada Life has revealed that almost half of its small scheme new business is being done online.

Friends Life has made two senior protection appointments including poaching Ageas' head of sales.

Lifesearch has bucked the trend of declining protection sales with a significant growth in business last year.

Critical illness (CI) and mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) are among the most complicated financial products for consumers to understand, the ABI has found.

Bright Grey paid out 91% of critical illness (CI) claims in the last six months of 2011.

Mental health claims are growing and now make up a third of all those received on group income protection (GIP) policies, according to Legal & General.