An unexpected surge in the number of payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints has prompted the Financial Ombudsman to forecast a sharp drop in the total number of cases that it expects to solve in 2010-11.
The volume of PPI cases is significantly higher than originally predicted, with 68,000 PPI complaints now forecast for 2010-11, which is well above the 46,000 cases for which it budgeted. As a consequence, the ombudsman expects to resolve a total of 180,000 cases during the current financial year, which is almost 15 per cent down on the 210,000 it originally anticipated.
In a consultation paper detailing its current workload and proposed budget for the next financial year, the ombudsman said the high volume of PPI cases has contributed to a drop in its income (80 per cent of which comes from case fees) because it has resolved fewer disputes as a result.
According to a Financial Ombudsman spokesman, its reserves had been "significantly" reduced after the 40 per cent jump in the number of PPI complaints.




