Not many people can deny the emotional benefit of having a dog around for company. It’s why we’ve seen puppy sales soar during the pandemic.

2020 was a year of significant change, for all of us including those of the public sector. As those responsible for managing risk across the sector look ahead to 2021, there are many challenges to be faced.

As we emerge from a global pandemic and stare down the implications of a changing climate, it would be easy to feel disheartened. However, new solutions to tackle climate change may yet have a transformative effect on the economy that could create thousands of needed jobs.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic saw all UK universities put into lockdown in Spring 2020 and as a result, concerns about the mental health of university students have grown.

With so many organisations packing up their offices and accepting a more remote long-term future, Zoom meetings from kitchen tables look here to stay.

Insurance is all about assessing risk. So isn’t it important to consider how we, as human beings, approach decision making? After all, a vast majority of risks arise directly from human behaviour.

The ‘Everybody in’ campaign was one of the few silver linings to come from COVID-19. Back in March the government wrote to local authorities asking them to find temporary accommodation for people sleeping rough.

HDI Global SE (HDI) announces its new partnership with RMP to provide casualty capacity for higher education risks - including clinical trials cover.

Insurance is all about assessing risk. So isn’t it important to consider how we, as human beings, approach decision making? After all, a vast majority of risks arise directly from human behaviour.

Technological innovations have been changing the way we work for years. From the introduction of broadband, to the adoption of cloud computing, technology has always found ways to make our working lives more efficient.

Rushing to put out a blaze. Breaking up a nasty fight. Resuscitating an unconscious pedestrian. If you were asked which of these situations was the most stressful, you’d be hard pressed to choose between them.

It’s a well-known fact that the UK’s population is ageing. The repercussions will be felt across society, but local authorities

The pandemic has changed sundry aspects of people’s daily lives; it could also speed up changes to driving habits and the way motor insurance works.

Coronavirus has hit crowded urban centres hardest, as populations living in close proximity contributed to the pandemic’s spread. London’s pandemic experience peaked early compared to most, while many other towns and cities have fared worse relative to their populace.

Fraudsters will seize opportunities for crime during any crisis. COVID-19 is proving no exception, as the UK’s test and trace scheme gets underway.

Attitudes towards waste and recycling have undergone a sea change during the past 25 years, with the issue moving from a concern among environmental groups into the consciousness of wider society.

COVID-19 has reduced local authority revenues while increasing the financial strain On recent sunny weekends Bath’s famous Roman pools and saunas would expect to enjoy a boost in visitors.

Parkour, a word derived from the French parcours, which means “route”, is a discipline rapidly growing in popularity across cities worldwide.

On 15 February 1971 the coins and notes we use today (as cash) were introduced into circulation in the UK for the first time as the UK went decimal.

COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to the UK’s higher education sector. Not since the Second World War have campuses seen studies put on hold and closed for the duration.

Parks management, refuse collection and other local essential services need to continue during lockdown, but their risk management needs to adapt

In difficult times it is always uplifting to try and find a glimmer of hope and the possibility of a reduction in the crime rate - even a short lived one – could be such a glimmer.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a painful and disabling disorder of the blood vessels, nerves and joints that can

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to the most incredible upsurge in volunteering and community action.

Austerity has changed the UK in countless ways. One of the less well-documented effects has been the steep rise in insurance fraud.

The past 25 years have seen an upsurge in the number of children in the UK and significant investment in education.

Managing wellbeing and mental health is critical for the education system where the provision of support services has often been lacking.

Traffic is not just a bit of bother. If left unchecked, congestion can pose a real threat to economic development and quality of life.

Trees planted close to property or areas accessible by the public can pose a risk of death or injury to passers-by.

“Grey fleet” is a term used to talk about any vehicle that is not owned by an organisation, but is used by its employees for work purposes.

The decade about long-term partnerships

The last 25 years have seen the completion of some spectacular infrastructure projects, what does the next decade hold?

Managing wellbeing and mental health is critical for the education system where the provision of support services has often been lacking.

UK housing trends have seen significant shifts during the past quarter of a century, a period which has seen the average house price escalate by more than 400%.

Insurance is all about assessing risk. So isn’t it important to consider how we, as human beings, approach decision making?

Rushing to put out a blaze. Breaking up a nasty fight. Resuscitating an unconscious pedestrian.

It’s a well-known fact that the UK’s population is ageing. The repercussions will be felt across society, but local authorities

Attitudes towards waste and recycling have undergone a sea change during the past 25 years, with the issue moving from a concern among environmental groups into the consciousness of wider society.

The past 25 years have seen an upsurge in the number of children in the UK and significant investment in education.

Rapid population growth is placing mounting strain on health and social care systems in the UK, amid continued pressure

In 2019 RMP celebrates 25 years in business and throughout the last quarter of a century its goal has been to win the trust

Motoring has changed in the last 25 years – but perhaps not as we expected – what will the next quarter century bring?

There’s a paradox which makes sustaining safe conditions at work tricky. The better an organisation gets at preventing

In the battle to meet budget reductions without reducing services, many local authorities have found the digital revolution to be a blessing.

Catastrophic flooding fantasies are nothing new. From Biblical tales to climate change disaster movies, the fear of a world-swallowing

What makes an attractive target for a cybercriminal? This is a question the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

“One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), set to come into force in just over a month from now (25 May 2018),

In a world of fast paced advances in computing and incessant budget cuts, local authorities are turning to automation.

Little experience goes a long way, but a lot goes much further. We’re committed to building long term partnerships with our clients

Next time you’re enjoying a welcome British heatwave, spare a thought for those at work. Whether it is white collar office work or outdoor manual labour

For many people, it’s the dream: the licence to work from home. No lengthy commute, no more supervision and all the comforts of your living room.

After all the false starts, summer is finally here. Now that the weather is nicer, cycling to work feels much more pleasant. Still, before jumping on your bike it’s worth bearing these little pointers in mind…

There’s no doubt that Brexit marks a definitive moment in our history. Yet some of us will be affected more than others.

With the 2017 general election, the civil servants amongst us will be almost done with the pre-election period known as ‘purdah.

According to a recent survey carried out by the Environment Agency and the AA, nearly half of drivers aged 65 and over would be willing to drive through a flood, putting themselves and their vehicle at risk, rather than turn around and find a different route.

Most of us are familiar with the warm orange glow of street lighting. The lamps are lit with sodium bulbs, which work by passing an electric current through a tube containing solid sodium. The reaction produces large amounts of heat and light.

The past 25 years have seen an upsurge in the number of children in the UK and significant investment in education.

This office is definitely not one for claustrophobics. Danish creative director Jonas Hallberg has renovated an old trailer into his own shabby-chic mobile office, meaning he can work wherever he likes.

Many regions around the UK have been hit by storms and floods in the past few months.

Whether it is for leisure or the daily commute, cycling has rapidly gained popularity in recent years as a cheap, emission-free way to travel.

As winter approaches, it’s important to protect buildings from cold weather – taking some simple steps in advance can help to reduce costly repairs and maintenance.

Falls from a height in the workplace are worryingly common, making up a large proportion of personal injury claims brought against employers.

During the winter, when days get shorter and colder, our electricity consumption increases as we use more heat, light and energy.

The long-awaited new highway code of practice was published on 28th October and authorities now have 2 years to fully implement it.

Many council workers are exposed to high noise levels in their lines of work, especially road and construction workers. In Glasgow’s West End, council workers had to use noisy equipment to install new road markings.

We are delighted to announce two new additions to the Gallagher Bassett risk control team.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), work-related stress, depression or anxiety is ‘a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work.’

Vitamin D is back in the public eye as more and more people in the UK have been diagnosed with very low levels, particularly in the winter months when sunlight is weak.

People and gunpowder are rarely a good mix without preparation and precautions taken first. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) around 1,000 people visit A&E for treatment of a firework-related injury in the four weeks around Bonfire Night.

When insurance companies approve a motor claim, they need all the facts, presented as clearly as possible.

British people have a reputation around the world for being polite to a fault. But surely, when we come up against other drivers on the road, like anybody else our road rage gets the better of us and that polite veneer comes crashing down?

Often the best way to learn something is to try it out, see how you did, and learn from the experience. In the medical profession, there is very little room for error, so having a safe environment to try things out is invaluable.

People sometimes complain that although they are important, health and safety procedures can be taken too far. In Cardiff, though, it seems the procedure fell short. 0.12 miles short, to be precise.

The first Monday of February is known as ‘National Sickie Day’, as peak numbers of employees take the day off. According to the employment law expert ELAS, National Sickie Day costs the UK an estimated £37m in wages, lost hours and overtime.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a painful and debilitating illness, caused by hand-held power tools. The syndrome can be easily prevented, but some firms still don’t implement the correct procedures, resulting in employee illness and expensive claims.

A really good team can achieve amazing things. A bad team finds it hard to achieve anything effectively. Animals that use teamwork can’t afford to be bad at it – if they don’t work as a team, it really is a case of life or death. So what can we learn from animals when we decide to work collaboratively?

Road workers face all kinds of risks, from moving vehicles to drivers’ road rage – an Oxford University study ranked road working as the 16th most hazardous occupation in the UK. So it’s safe to assume that road workers are used to identifying potentially risky situations. Isn’t it?

At 10 feet long and more than a foot deep, a pothole in the East Sussex village of Framfield is believed to be the largest in the UK. It’s given the residents and local council a headache to match.

While we love to complain about the weather, it’s rarely about anything serious. Some drizzle here, or some mugginess there is about the extent of it. But last month, the locals of Lincolnshire contended with more dramatic conditions, as what was described as a ‘mini-tornado’ ripped its way through a children’s funfair.

Who would have thought that could you reduce your carbon footprint by working in your slippers? According to the Home 2025 project, homeworking could do just that.

Kingston Police have been using Twitter to remind the public that although they might be in uniform, police officers have still got a sense of humour. UK police forces are prepared to face risks every day, which probably makes the light-hearted moments all the more welcome.

Our partner Alarm is launching an essential guide to children’s services risk management, accompanied by a series of seminars.

It's a worst-case scenario for most people: there's someone else in China who can do your job for about one-fifth of your salary, and your boss absolutely loves his work.

We believe the key to effective risk management is knowing where you are exposed and how to protect yourself from potential claims. We empower public sector risk managers with the right knowledge and the right cover.

We are delighted to announce that in partnership with Ecclesiastical, we now offer an exclusive insurance and risk management programme to further education colleges across the UK. It is designed to support colleges’ specific needs with specialist cover and award-winning service.

142 worker deaths were reported in the UK in the year 2014/15. Falls from height accounted for nearly 3 in 10 fatal injuries to workers. From the report published by HSE it transpires that paragliding instructors, mountain rangers and skyscraper window cleaners are not the most dangerous jobs in the UK.

Pyrotechnics are a showstopper, guaranteed to excite audiences and incite awe. The most outstanding fire spectacle is the legendary creature flaunting its fiery quirk. To bring the legendary creature to life, it takes a team of skilled designers, architects and most importantly, pyrotechnicians.

Nearly 400 international risk leaders came together in London for The Institute of Risk Management’s 2016 Global Risk Awards. The ceremony was a wonderful testimony to the achievements made within the risk management sector over the past year, and to top off the celebrations we came away with an award!

Inspections on boilers and other electrical equipment can help to decrease the risks to health and safety posed by faulty equipment. A broken boiler during winter is a bit of a bother, and if not checked, can become a risk. However, if your boiler should break at work or at home, a few layers and a kettle of boiling water can be a good temporary fix.

In an emergency time is of the essence. Quick response can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major disaster. Time-wasters are a serious concern as they impede on the emergency services responding to those in grave danger.

The past 25 years have seen an upsurge in the number of children in the UK and significant investment in education.

When you pay your insurance premium QBE invest it until it is needed to pay claims – typically in shares or bonds.

It is essential that any intruder alarm system is reliable and resilient against attack or interference.

As risk management experts, we understand that appropriate use of portable fire extinguishers can stop a small fire from developing into a major incident.

We thought we would share this short film. Showing the world without smoking. According to the video, it seems the world would have more music.

These words by Lesley Evans Ogden - Award-winning freelance science journalist - caught our eye. Lesley cycled every major city in Europe, and found London the most terrifying.

At a Polish airport, security guard Grzegorz Paczec showed quick reflexes when he leapt to the defence of a falling baby, making a perfect catch.

The most dangerous school trip on our planet is actually not a trip, it’s a daily expedition. It’s a walk to the most remote school in the world.

You are a few minutes late, and every traffic light in the UK seems to know it. They are green until you reach them, and then stay red for what feels like an hour.

There is confusion between those who spray and those who remove the paint. Great British institutions are polarised on the issue. When is art a crime, and where should the line be drawn?