The figure of £26,000 quoted to a 17-year-old to insure his car would be laughable were it not such a serious issue.

Bradford is fast gaining a reputation as a no-go area for car insurance companies, and sadly it is the law-abiding majority who are having to pay the price for the offences of the minority.

For too long, our drivers have been paying the price for the big losses insurance companies have suffered in the city because of the high number of uninsured drivers being involved in claims and the rising tide of personal injury claims.

Recently, insurance company Esure revealed it would not take on any new drivers in the BD2 and BD3 areas because it was paying out twice as much in claims as it was getting in premiums.

And the latest ludicrous figures quoted to 17-year-old driver Jamie Nunn, with the lowest being £9,000 through to a staggering high of £26,000, mean that the companies that have given quotes to him are effectively refusing him cover, as it would be ridiculous to pay premiums costing far more than the car is worth.

So news that David Ward MP is seeking a summit to try and tackle the issue is particularly welcome.

Something has to be done to protect our law-abiding drivers from this significant minority of criminals who are acting a as a millstone around the necks of parts of our community – it cannot be allowed to continue.