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/business/7125057.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Long-term flood plan 'essential' | Long-term flood plan 'essential' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The government must develop a long-term strategy to manage the UK's growing flood risk, insurers have warned. | |
| The Association of British Insurers (ABI) wants a comprehensive assessment of flood risk and a programme of "sustained" long-term investment. | The Association of British Insurers (ABI) wants a comprehensive assessment of flood risk and a programme of "sustained" long-term investment. |
| It says the summer floods, expected to cost around £3bn, should be a "final wake-up call" for the government. | It says the summer floods, expected to cost around £3bn, should be a "final wake-up call" for the government. |
| Ministers have already pledged to increase flood spending from £600m a year to £800m by 2010/2011. | Ministers have already pledged to increase flood spending from £600m a year to £800m by 2010/2011. |
| Long-term strategy | Long-term strategy |
| Deferring action now will simply increase the cost of action later, and cause immense personal suffering in the interim ABI | Deferring action now will simply increase the cost of action later, and cause immense personal suffering in the interim ABI |
| The ABI asks the government to set out a 25-year strategy in a report commissioned after this summer's floods in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. | The ABI asks the government to set out a 25-year strategy in a report commissioned after this summer's floods in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. |
| It calls for an investment programme which reflects climate change and what it calls the "real" flood risk from rivers, coasts and drainage. | It calls for an investment programme which reflects climate change and what it calls the "real" flood risk from rivers, coasts and drainage. |
| It believes the Environment Agency should be given more responsibility to manage and tackle flood risk, and that the planning system should be reformed to ensure housing developments are not built in high risk areas. | It believes the Environment Agency should be given more responsibility to manage and tackle flood risk, and that the planning system should be reformed to ensure housing developments are not built in high risk areas. |
| "This summer's devastating floods highlight the urgent need for a long-term strategy based around more investment, national co-ordination and better land use planning," said ABI director general Stephen Haddrill. | "This summer's devastating floods highlight the urgent need for a long-term strategy based around more investment, national co-ordination and better land use planning," said ABI director general Stephen Haddrill. |
| The government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk Defra He said the industry was proud of its response to this year's floods, with members due to pay out £3bn in respect of 165,000 claims. | The government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk Defra He said the industry was proud of its response to this year's floods, with members due to pay out £3bn in respect of 165,000 claims. |
| But the report describes the summer's events as a "final wake-up call" to the government. It warns that "deferring action now will simply increase the cost of action later, and cause immense personal suffering in the interim". | But the report describes the summer's events as a "final wake-up call" to the government. It warns that "deferring action now will simply increase the cost of action later, and cause immense personal suffering in the interim". |
| "Insurers want to continue to provide flood insurance," added Stephen Haddrill. | "Insurers want to continue to provide flood insurance," added Stephen Haddrill. |
| "The right decisions from the government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the UK." | "The right decisions from the government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the UK." |
| 'Record' investment | 'Record' investment |
| Defra says investment in flood defences has doubled in the past 10 years. | Defra says investment in flood defences has doubled in the past 10 years. |
| In October, chancellor Alistair Darling said the government will spend £2.15bn between 2008 and 2011, with the annual budget rising from £600m this year to £800m in 2010/11. | In October, chancellor Alistair Darling said the government will spend £2.15bn between 2008 and 2011, with the annual budget rising from £600m this year to £800m in 2010/11. |
| "The government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk," said a Defra spokesman. | "The government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk," said a Defra spokesman. |
| "Our record levels of investment accompany a national programme of prioritised work that takes account of the changing climate to improve protection for future generations," she added. | "Our record levels of investment accompany a national programme of prioritised work that takes account of the changing climate to improve protection for future generations," she added. |
| "In addition, government is working with the Environment Agency with a view to producing a 20 year long-term programme." | "In addition, government is working with the Environment Agency with a view to producing a 20 year long-term programme." |
| The government has already announced that the Environment Agency will become responsible for the "strategic overview" of coastal flooding and may take on the same role for all inland flooding too. | The government has already announced that the Environment Agency will become responsible for the "strategic overview" of coastal flooding and may take on the same role for all inland flooding too. |
| In addition Defra has set up the Pitt Review to learn the lessons of the summer floods. It is expected to produce an interim report before the end of the year. | In addition Defra has set up the Pitt Review to learn the lessons of the summer floods. It is expected to produce an interim report before the end of the year. |
| The ABI's report comes after research carried out for Channel 4's Dispatches programme listed the 20 places in Britain most at risk from flooding. | The ABI's report comes after research carried out for Channel 4's Dispatches programme listed the 20 places in Britain most at risk from flooding. |
| Boston in Lincolnshire was identified as facing the greatest danger, with 57% of homeowners deemed to be at "significant risk". | Boston in Lincolnshire was identified as facing the greatest danger, with 57% of homeowners deemed to be at "significant risk". |