The Ministry of Defence does not purchase insurance policies in the UK but accepts its own risks and acts as its own insurer.

NHS trusts were no longer permitted to buy commercial insurance relating to employers’ and public liability, buildings and contents, and other miscellaneous risks (with a limited number of exemptions) from the introduction of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Liabilities to Third Parties and Property Expenses Schemes on 1 April 1999.

This followed extensive research into the scale, cost and financial benefits of NHS dependency on commercial insurance, which lead the Department to decide that better value for money across the National Health Service as a whole would be achieved if NHS trusts no longer insured commercially, but instead self-insured, through these risk pooling schemes, against non-clinical risks. Trusts themselves have since maintained a general prohibition on entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers in their individual standing financial instructions.

In terms of guidance, the Department publishes Health Building Notes which do not deal specifically with the specific kinds of incidents to which the question refers, but do emphasise that NHS estate has to be properly managed to comply with statute, the NHS Constitution, regulatory requirements, and good property management principles. If this is adhered to then the risk of damage to a NHS building should be greatly reduced.

NHS trusts were no longer permitted to buy commercial insurance relating to employers’ and public liability, buildings and contents, and other miscellaneous risks (with a limited number of exemptions) from the introduction of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Liabilities to Third Parties and Property Expenses Schemes on 1 April 1999.

This followed extensive research into the scale, cost and financial benefits of NHS dependency on commercial insurance, which lead the Department to decide that better value for money across the National Health Service as a whole would be achieved if NHS trusts no longer insured commercially, but instead self-insured, through these risk pooling schemes, against non-clinical risks. Trusts themselves have since maintained a general prohibition on entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers in their individual standing financial instructions.

In terms of guidance, the Department publishes Health Building Notes which do not deal specifically with the specific kinds of incidents to which the question refers, but do emphasise that NHS estate has to be properly managed to comply with statute, the NHS Constitution, regulatory requirements, and good property management principles. If this is adhered to then the risk of damage to a NHS building should be greatly reduced.

NHS trusts were no longer permitted to buy commercial insurance relating to employers’ and public liability, buildings and contents, and other miscellaneous risks (with a limited number of exemptions) from the introduction of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Liabilities to Third Parties and Property Expenses Schemes on 1 April 1999.

This followed extensive research into the scale, cost and financial benefits of NHS dependency on commercial insurance, which lead the Department to decide that better value for money across the National Health Service as a whole would be achieved if NHS trusts no longer insured commercially, but instead self-insured, through these risk pooling schemes, against non-clinical risks. Trusts themselves have since maintained a general prohibition on entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers in their individual standing financial instructions.

In terms of guidance, the Department publishes Health Building Notes which do not deal specifically with the specific kinds of incidents to which the question refers, but do emphasise that NHS estate has to be properly managed to comply with statute, the NHS Constitution, regulatory requirements, and good property management principles. If this is adhered to then the risk of damage to a NHS building should be greatly reduced.

The Department does not hold information on the proportion of NHS foundation trusts that have taken out commercial building insurance to top up cover beyond the standard NHS Litigation Authority cover.

Ministers have had discussions with the insurance industry regarding the NHS Litigation Authority’s indemnity schemes, though not in relation to the proportion of NHS foundation trusts not covered beyond the standard NHS Litigation Authority cover.

The Department does not hold information on the proportion of NHS foundation trusts that have taken out commercial building insurance to top up cover beyond the standard NHS Litigation Authority cover.

Ministers have had discussions with the insurance industry regarding the NHS Litigation Authority’s indemnity schemes, though not in relation to the proportion of NHS foundation trusts not covered beyond the standard NHS Litigation Authority cover.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in England are members of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Property Expenses Scheme (PES). PES covers losses for material damage to buildings and contents from a variety of causes, including fire, theft and water damage, valued at up to £1 million per claim.

There is a general prohibition on NHS trusts entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers therefore they will normally self-insure any losses above the £1 million limit.

NHS foundation trusts may enter into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers for any risks not covered by the scheme, and will consider whether to do so in accordance with their individual standing financial instructions.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in England are members of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Property Expenses Scheme (PES). PES covers losses for material damage to buildings and contents from a variety of causes, including fire, theft and water damage, valued at up to £1 million per claim.

There is a general prohibition on NHS trusts entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers therefore they will normally self-insure any losses above the £1 million limit.

NHS foundation trusts may enter into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers for any risks not covered by the scheme, and will consider whether to do so in accordance with their individual standing financial instructions.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in England are members of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Property Expenses Scheme (PES). PES covers losses for material damage to buildings and contents from a variety of causes, including fire, theft and water damage, valued at up to £1 million per claim.

There is a general prohibition on NHS trusts entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers therefore they will normally self-insure any losses above the £1 million limit.

NHS foundation trusts may enter into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers for any risks not covered by the scheme, and will consider whether to do so in accordance with their individual standing financial instructions.

All National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts in England are members of the NHS Litigation Authority’s Property Expenses Scheme (PES). PES covers losses for material damage to buildings and contents from a variety of causes, including fire, theft and water damage, valued at up to £1 million per claim.

There is a general prohibition on NHS trusts entering into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers therefore they will normally self-insure any losses above the £1 million limit.

NHS foundation trusts may enter into insurance arrangements with commercial insurers for any risks not covered by the scheme, and will consider whether to do so in accordance with their individual standing financial instructions.

The hon. Gentleman’s question gives me the chance to place on the record my appreciation to the local authorities in different parts of the country which have done an excellent job in implementing the emergency plans that they prepare for flooding. The Prime Minister, no less, when visiting the north-west, urged the Department for Communities and Local Government to be generous when applying the Bellwin formula to assist local authorities in the way that the hon. Gentleman requests.