View from City Road: A timid ombudsman
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.You would think that the biggest pensions scandal in recent history, the Maxwell affair, would prompt everyone concerned with the industry's behaviour to speak out bravely when the need arises. Not so Michael Platt, the Pensions Ombudsman, whose timidity about naming names or pursuing recalcitrant firms that refuse to follow his recommendations fits uneasily with the times.
It is probably pointless urging him to be more belligerent. The answer is to attack the profusion of complaints procedures in personal finance by setting up a unified scheme, preferably linked to the new Personal Investment Authority. It would have a bigger brief, more money and - let us hope - more clout.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments