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PM to see damage caused by floods PM to see damage caused by floods
(about 1 hour 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. Downing Street has denied being 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."
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 warningInsurance warning
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.
"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."
The work to make many houses habitable again is expected to take months.The work to make many houses habitable again is expected to take months.
Mr Brown said: "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."
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 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.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 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 in the north of England.
Hundreds of people had to leave their homes in Toll Bar
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 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.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 it had been a "massive humanitarian disaster".Hull City Council leader Carl Minns, who earlier dubbed Hull the "forgotten city" of the flooding, said it had been a "massive humanitarian disaster".
Houses in the Catcliffe area of Sheffield were badly hit
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. Mayor Martin Winter warned it could take between six and 18 months before some residents could return to their homes, "if at all".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".
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.