This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7036904.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Flood defence money 'falls short' Flood defence money 'falls short'
(9 minutes later)
Money for flood defences announced by the chancellor in the Comprehensive Spending Review falls well short of the amount needed, UK insurers say.Money for flood defences announced by the chancellor in the Comprehensive Spending Review falls well short of the amount needed, UK insurers say.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says the £800m pledged is less than it needed, even before the floods.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says the £800m pledged is less than it needed, even before the floods.
The ABI spoke as the Environment Agency head prepared to face a grilling from MPs over the handling of the floods.The ABI spoke as the Environment Agency head prepared to face a grilling from MPs over the handling of the floods.
Large swathes of south-west England, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside were left under water this year.Large swathes of south-west England, the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside were left under water this year.
Rising costsRising costs
ABI chief executive Stephen Hadrill said the money pledged by Alistair Darling in Tuesday's Comprehensive Spending Review was so low that it could lead to a review of insurance services in the UK.ABI chief executive Stephen Hadrill said the money pledged by Alistair Darling in Tuesday's Comprehensive Spending Review was so low that it could lead to a review of insurance services in the UK.
"We really want to carry on being able to provide this service. But obviously we can't keep providing it at significant loss."We really want to carry on being able to provide this service. But obviously we can't keep providing it at significant loss.
"So what we are going to be looking for from the government is a recognition of what happened this summer and an increase on the level they have announced today, to reflect the lessons learned and to reflect the results of their own reviews which they are now conducting.""So what we are going to be looking for from the government is a recognition of what happened this summer and an increase on the level they have announced today, to reflect the lessons learned and to reflect the results of their own reviews which they are now conducting."
On Monday, AA Insurance said home insurance costs had risen at their fastest rate since 1994 as a result of the flooding.On Monday, AA Insurance said home insurance costs had risen at their fastest rate since 1994 as a result of the flooding.
Buildings premiums jumped by 3% in the past quarter, reflecting the estimated £3bn cost of flood damage across much of the UK in June and July.Buildings premiums jumped by 3% in the past quarter, reflecting the estimated £3bn cost of flood damage across much of the UK in June and July.
Meanwhile, Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young is expected to get a rough ride later when she is questioned by MPs.Meanwhile, Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young is expected to get a rough ride later when she is questioned by MPs.
She will be asked by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee what more could have been done to help communities.She will be asked by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee what more could have been done to help communities.
They will also ask what lessons have been learned for the future.They will also ask what lessons have been learned for the future.
Drainage questionsDrainage questions
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said the Environment Agency was told by the government it had to plan for a one-in-100-year flood event.BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said the Environment Agency was told by the government it had to plan for a one-in-100-year flood event.
It was estimated that the summer flooding was between a one-in-150-year and a one-in-200-year event, our correspondent said.It was estimated that the summer flooding was between a one-in-150-year and a one-in-200-year event, our correspondent said.
In other words, way beyond what the agency was told by the government to build towards.In other words, way beyond what the agency was told by the government to build towards.
Baroness Young will say to MPs on Wednesday that it would cost the government an awful lot more money to build even more robust defences, our correspondent added.Baroness Young will say to MPs on Wednesday that it would cost the government an awful lot more money to build even more robust defences, our correspondent added.
Committee chairman Michael Jack said he and his colleagues had received an unprecedented level of submissions on the floods that left thousands homeless, tens of thousands without power and hundreds of thousands without water.Committee chairman Michael Jack said he and his colleagues had received an unprecedented level of submissions on the floods that left thousands homeless, tens of thousands without power and hundreds of thousands without water.
He said the committee would be looking carefully at the co-ordination between the many bodies - including the Environment Agency - which are charged with looking after drainage. He says the government should have acted earlier after more extreme weather and flooding was predicted by the chief scientist in 2004.
"The interesting question is, why didn't the government respond then to the clear message that more resources were going to have to be put in to flood defences," he said.