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Insurance premium tax pushing up cost of pet insurance
The standard rate of IPT in the UK is now the sixth highest in Europe.
Figures show the average policy has risen by 18.58 per cent

The cost of pet insurance has risen by nearly 20 per cent in recent months, according to figures published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The figures show that the standard rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) increased from six per cent to 12 per cent in less than 18 months, and independent experts expect it will continue to rise.

The added cost of the IPT increases means that the average pet insurance policy has risen by 18.58 per cent. The ABI is now calling on chancellor Phillip Hammond to end repeated increases.

James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at the ABI said: “Taxing insurance premiums means punishing people who do the responsible thing. No-one would think it reasonable to fine people for clearing up after their pets, securing their homes or driving carefully.
 
“It is no more acceptable to penalise people who sensibly invest in insurance cover for themselves, their families and their belongings. Repeatedly putting up Insurance Premium Tax impacts hardest on the poorest and it’s time for the Chancellor to end this raid on the responsible and commit to no further increases this Parliament.”

The standard rate of IPT in the UK is now the sixth highest in Europe, behind Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland. A recent report by the Social Market Foundation, however, found that 50 per cent of the country has never even heard of it. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.