More than 5,500 households are not back in their homes following last summer's floods and 1,400 are still living in caravans, the government has revealed.
More than 5,500 households are not back in their homes following last summer's floods and 1,400 are still living in caravans, the government has revealed.
Floods recovery Minister John Healey promised affected families they had not been forgotten ahead of a visit to Toll Bar in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Floods recovery Minister John Healey promised affected families they had not been forgotten ahead of a visit to Toll Bar in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
But he said some were frustrated over the pace of repairs to their homes.
But he said some were frustrated over the pace of repairs to their homes.
The areas with the most households still displaced are Hull, the East Riding of Yorks and Tewkesbury, Gloucs.
The areas with the most households still displaced are Hull, the East Riding of Yorks and Tewkesbury, Gloucs.
In Hull, 1,989 households are out of their homes and 641 are still living in caravans.
In Hull, 1,989 households are out of their homes and 641 are still living in caravans.
...they have not been forgotten and are not on their own John HealeyFloods recovery Minister
...they have not been forgotten and are not on their own John HealeyFloods recovery Minister
The East Riding of Yorkshire has 1109 households out of their homes and 323 living in caravans.
The East Riding of Yorkshire has 1109 households out of their homes and 323 living in caravans.
In Tewkesbury, 388 households are not back in their homes and 144 are living in caravans.
In Tewkesbury, 388 households are not back in their homes and 144 are living in caravans.
Mr Healy said the number of households living in caravans had fallen by more than 40% between March and the end of April - down from 2,400 to 1,429.
Mr Healey said the number of households living in caravans had fallen by more than 40% between March and the end of April - down from 2,400 to 1,429.
But he said about 5,650 households were not fully back in their homes.
But he said about 5,650 households were not fully back in their homes.
Mr Healey described the response to the floods - which saw 48,000 homes affected - as one of the biggest operations since World War II.
Mr Healey described the response to the floods - which saw 48,000 homes affected - as one of the biggest operations since World War II.
Tewkesbury was one of the UK's worst affected areas
Tewkesbury was one of the UK's worst affected areas
"A huge amount has been achieved in terms of getting communities back on their feet and the insurance industry has played a big part in this," he said.
"A huge amount has been achieved in terms of getting communities back on their feet and the insurance industry has played a big part in this," he said.
"But the fact remains that far too many households are still in temporary accommodation and unable to return home.
"But the fact remains that far too many households are still in temporary accommodation and unable to return home.
"People are frustrated and are asking why. They want to know how it can take so long to dry out and get repairs and insurance sorted out on their homes."
"People are frustrated and are asking why. They want to know how it can take so long to dry out and get repairs and insurance sorted out on their homes."
Mr Healey urged councils and the insurance industry to "step up the pace of progress over the coming weeks and months".
Mr Healey urged councils and the insurance industry to "step up the pace of progress over the coming weeks and months".
He said: "I want those people still out of their own homes, living upstairs or in caravans to know that they have not been forgotten and are not on their own."
He said: "I want those people still out of their own homes, living upstairs or in caravans to know that they have not been forgotten and are not on their own."
Mr Healey said he put his concerns to the Director General of the Association of British Insurers last week and would be meeting with top executives from the main insurance companies early next month.
Mr Healey said he put his concerns to the Director General of the Association of British Insurers last week and would be meeting with top executives from the main insurance companies early next month.
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