The UK government must not increase flood risk through inappropriate housing development under a new eight-point plan published today by Flood Re.
Presented to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) select committee, the plan also calls for a significant, widespread and rapid increase in the installation of property flood resilience (PFR) measures.
Moreover, Flood Re said that investment in flood risk management, and flood defence building and maintenance, must provide long-term clarity with funding settlements lasting a 10-20 year period.
This comes after a scientific study found that northern Britain could experience a larger increase in flooding than any other region in Europe as a result of climate change.
The EFRA select committee subsequently launched an inquiry in March this year, focusing on the government’s approach to managing the risk of inland flooding in England.
“Taken together, the package of eight recommendations in our response to the committee highlight what needs to happen to create an affordable risk reflect market for flood insurance,” said Flood Re chief executive Andy Bord.
“We fully support the committee’s inquiry into flooding and hope everyone with an interest in managing flood risk – from government to householders – will come together and work towards the common purpose.”
The eight-point plan is shown in full below:
1) Government should adopt and promote the Resilience Roundtable Code of Practice
2) Government should pilot Flood Performance Certificates (FPC)
3) Government should incentivise householders to install PFR using a more rapid, streamlined, and consistent approach of grant making
4) Government should permit Flood Re’s Quinquennial Review recommendations for 'Build Back Better' and discounted premiums
5) Government should ensure mandatory installation of sustainable drainage measures in all new builds as a matter of course, regardless of the size of the development
6) Government should mandate a joint compliance check by local authorities and the Environment Agency to ensure all planning guidance relating to new developments is adhered to
7) Government should consider how stakeholders who benefit from a new development are held to account for its longer-term insurability
8) Government should adopt a national minimum standard for flood resilience as proposed by the National Infrastructure Committee.
Flood Re also highlighted independent research showing that 98% of households with prior flood claims are now receiving quotes from five or more insurers, with 80% of those seeing a price reduction of more than 50%.
“We are proud of our success so far and these proposals will help to ensure home insurance is both available and affordable for those most at risk of flooding,” Bord added.
Author: Chris Seekings
Image credit: iStock
