Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 April 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Flooding

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will take steps to provide insurance to householders and businesses which are repeatedly flooded where insurance indemnities exclude cover.

Answer: There are no plans for the Government to provide flood insurance cover. As I explained in my answer to the hon. Member on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2397W, this remains broadly available to households in areas at risk of flooding in accordance with the Association of British Insurers' Statement of Principles. In some cases property-owners in areas of higher flood risk can take additional measures to enable them to obtain insurance, for example by investing in individual protection products to reduce potential damage to their property. The Environment Agency provides advice on these.

Secondary information