FSA, insurers and bankers subject of Govt petitions

Unfair insurance administrative charges, excessive banker bonuses and mortgage rates that don't reflect the Bank of England's base rate are topics that most British consumers will discuss with zest over a pint in the local.

But the devastating financial crisis and ensuing recession has spurred these same Britons out of the pub and onto the No 10 Downing Street's website to vent their anger in a more serious forum.

Demands made from the Government through petitions are far-ranging.

There are modest requests for reforms of public sector pensions to be brought into line with the private sector, to calls for the abolishment of the FSA and proposals of an alternative Budget to resolve the country's financial woes.

Yesterday, IFAonline.co.uk reported on a petition created by an independent mortgage adviser calling for the Government to intervene to outlaw dual pricing on mortgage products.

So far, 1,624 people have signed the petition, showing the strength of feeling in the industry.

Here are some of the more interesting petitions we have found:

Miss Julie E Kirk's call for the Government to stop insurance companies charging excessive administrative fees.

Miss Kirk's beef is that insurance firms can charge £25 just to update your address.

But as it is mandatory to keep your details up to date, you have no choice but to pay the fee.

To view more detail or to sign Miss Kirk's petition click here

There is also anger against the regulators as represented by a petition to "end the lunatics contolling the asylum" of self-regulation by the FSA and ICAEW which already has 60 signatures.

It aims to promote effective financial regulation that is both sane and transparent.

To sign, click here. 

Meanwhile, 178 annoyed home owners and potential home owners have backed a request from the operator of mortgage portal Mortgages.co.uk for the passing of legislation to force lenders to pass on 100% of the Bank of England's interest rate cuts.

Managing director Barry Summers says making lenders pass on cuts is the duty of politicians to their electorate.

To view more detail or to sign Mr Summer's petition click here

The wrath over banker bonuses has come to a head in a petition from David Braithwaite, demanding the Government to force "highly paid" bankers to pay a retrospective windfall tax as punishment for the problems they created.

So far 291 people have signed this petition, which can be viewed at
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Taxbankers/