‘The announcement that Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to increase annual spending on flood defences to £800 million is very welcome,’ says Nick Harvey, ‘However, the floods have highlighted how those at risk are at the mercy of the whims of the insurance industry. Even if you face a one per cent chance of flooding this is considered a significant risk and can mean you are uninsurable.

‘The situation is compounded by the Government insisting that it has no jurisdiction over such matters; defra, despite being responsible for the Environment Agency which provides specific flood data to insurers, points the finger at the Treasury.’

When challenged Richard Cresswell, Regional Director, Environmental Agency said:

‘Our work to identify flood risk is necessary to ensure that we maintain and improve awareness of flooding and thereby reduce risk to people in property. However, we are not in a position to provide detailed flood risk assessments for individual properties.’

When Nick pressed the Treasury, Ed Balls, Economic Secretary, responded:

‘We do not intervene in the decisions of insurance companies when determining whether or not to offer cover. Where improved defences are planned, insurers will maintain flood cover for domestic properties and small businesses that they already insure.’

‘However,’ observes Nick Harvey, ‘if a domestic or business property is sold then the insurers will reconsider their position, if no improved defences are planned then there is no guarantee of cover. Constituents in North Devon face this very problem.

‘If climate change is a reality then the Government, and the building and insurance industries must address the increased risks of flooding as a matter of urgency.’