Residents in East Yorkshire can join the debate about how best to keep flood insurance available and affordable, according to local MP and floods campaigner, Graham Stuart.
In June The Association of British Insurers (ABI) agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government which lays the foundations for the new “Flood Re” scheme. This will constitute a not-for-profit flood insurance fund, owned and managed by the industry, which will help ensure flood insurance for up to 500,000 properties in the UK where obtaining flood insurance in an open market would be problematic. A number of these homes are in East Yorkshire and Graham is determined that local people should be able to insure without excessive cost or difficulty.
Since the floods of 2007 Graham has been running continuous campaigns to improve local flood defences in places like Beverley, Leven and Burstwick and, earlier this year, began another to put pressure on the Government to bring in a scheme like Floor Re to protect the insurance of those at risk of flooding.
Graham said, “We took the voice of worried constituents straight to the heart of Government, with a petition to Downing Street, calling for an agreement with the Association of British Insurers to resolve the problem.”
Graham added, “It is good news that that the campaign has paid off and a deal has been agreed in principle. People like Les Diment in Beverley and Ron Smith in Burstwick have made a huge difference. The Government and industry also deserve congratulations for reaching an agreement but now it is time to get the scheme up and running without delay.
“We will be keeping up the pressure until there is a lasting deal. I hope lots of local residents will respond to the consultation and make sure the Government realises how important these proposals are to people in East Yorkshire.”
The online consultation is on Defra’s website and can be found at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/flooding/floodinsurance .
