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PM Brown to visit flood victims PM to see damage caused by floods
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to visit victims of the flooding that has devastated parts of the UK.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to visit victims of the flooding that has devastated parts of the UK.
Mr Brown has promised to make emergency aid available after flooding hit more than 28,000 properties, predominantly in the Midlands and northern England.Mr Brown has promised to make emergency aid available after flooding hit more than 28,000 properties, predominantly in the Midlands and northern England.
Many people wanted Mr Brown on his visit to give "reassurance that they won't be forgotten in a few months", said BBC correspondent Danny Savage.Many people wanted Mr Brown on his visit to give "reassurance that they won't be forgotten in a few months", said BBC correspondent Danny Savage.
The insurance industry estimates that claims will total £1.5bn.The insurance industry estimates that claims will total £1.5bn.
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) calculates domestic claims will reach £825m, while those from businesses will add up to £680m.The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) calculates domestic claims will reach £825m, while those from businesses will add up to £680m.
Insurance warning
Downing Street has rejected suggestions the government has been slow to react to the floods crisis.Downing Street has rejected suggestions the government has been slow to react to the floods crisis.
Mr Brown has said: "There will be a comprehensive programme, not just to deal with the immediate problems but also with the recovery.Mr Brown has said: "There will be a comprehensive programme, not just to deal with the immediate problems but also with the recovery.
"We know that more has got to be done - with the clean-up, then to help people in distress, then to get the schools back, then of course to repairs.""We know that more has got to be done - with the clean-up, then to help people in distress, then to get the schools back, then of course to repairs."
Our correspondent said the work to make many houses habitable again would take months. The work to make many houses habitable again is expected to take months.
Diana Johnson, Hull North MP, told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's only now that, you know, the floodwaters have receded, they've got the water out of people's homes, that we're actually seeing what the damage is."Diana Johnson, Hull North MP, told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's only now that, you know, the floodwaters have receded, they've got the water out of people's homes, that we're actually seeing what the damage is."
HOMES FLOODED IN WORST-HIT AREAS Floods: Worst affected places The Financial Services Authority warned victims to be careful if approached by people offering insurance claim help.HOMES FLOODED IN WORST-HIT AREAS Floods: Worst affected places The Financial Services Authority warned victims to be careful if approached by people offering insurance claim help.
The regulator said some claims handlers had been touting for business improperly, offering to negotiate with insurers. It said anyone charging for this service must be regulated by the FSA, like a loss assessor, or be a member of an "exempt profession".The regulator said some claims handlers had been touting for business improperly, offering to negotiate with insurers. It said anyone charging for this service must be regulated by the FSA, like a loss assessor, or be a member of an "exempt profession".
The CILA says there have been 27,500 domestic claims with an average value of £30,000, and 6,800 claims from businesses averaging £100,000.The CILA says there have been 27,500 domestic claims with an average value of £30,000, and 6,800 claims from businesses averaging £100,000.
It adds that virtually all properties where there is a claim have now been visited by its members, and the rest should receive a visit by the beginning of next week. It says virtually all properties where there is a claim have been visited by its members, and the rest should receive a visit by the beginning of next week.
Appeal fundsAppeal funds
Appeals have also been set up in the north of England to help those hit by the floods. Appeals have been set up in the north of England to help those hit by the floods.
The Federation of Small Businesses has set up a £500,000 fund to help firms affected by the floods.The Federation of Small Businesses has set up a £500,000 fund to help firms affected by the floods.
It said it was offering short-term interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to any of its members suffering "severe trading hardship".It said it was offering short-term interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to any of its members suffering "severe trading hardship".
The prime minister has pledged to provide assistance to newly-launched appeals.
The South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund will raise money for those affected in Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield.The South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund will raise money for those affected in Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield.
The city council in Hull, where more than 16,000 homes have been affected, has launched the Hull Flood Fund.The city council in Hull, where more than 16,000 homes have been affected, has launched the Hull Flood Fund.
The prime minister has pledged to provide assistance to newly-launched appeals.
'Humanitarian disaster''Humanitarian disaster'
Hull City Council leader Carl Minns, who earlier dubbed Hull the "forgotten city" of the flooding, said: "There's a massive humanitarian disaster here that we've set up an appeal fund for - the Hull Flood Fund - and I appeal to people across the country to donate, so we can help those 35,000 [affected] people get back to normal as well." Hull City Council leader Carl Minns, who earlier dubbed Hull the "forgotten city" of the flooding, said it had been a "massive humanitarian disaster".
He says it could cost more than £200m to repair the damage done to schools, public housing, doctors' surgeries, roads and leisure centres in the city.He says it could cost more than £200m to repair the damage done to schools, public housing, doctors' surgeries, roads and leisure centres in the city.
Parts of north Doncaster remained underwater on Friday, with Mayor Martin Winter expected to outline the town's next move in its battle to return to normality. Parts of north Doncaster remained underwater on Friday. Mayor Martin Winter warned it could take between six and 18 months before some residents could return to their homes, "if at all".
Mr Winter warned it could take between six and 18 months before some residents could return to their homes, "if at all".
As well as money, local residents are being asked to donate unwanted furniture to those affected.As well as money, local residents are being asked to donate unwanted furniture to those affected.