31st January 2012
One in six UK homes are at risk of flooding
Around five million UK homes, the equivalent of one in six, are at risk of water damage thanks to government cuts to flood defence funds.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says that the budget will be cut by ten per cent over the current spending period.
Currently, there are no long-term strategies in place to make up for the loss, or to prepare for climate change floods which could cost the nation up to £12 billion per year.
The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, said that flood protection is a national priority, and therefore the level of uncertainty currently surrounding the issue is "not acceptable".
"It is unclear where the buck stops and who is ultimately responsible for managing the risk of flooding.
"There is also a great deal of uncertainty about whether there will be enough money to maintain and improve flood protection in the longer term, and who will pay," she said.
Ms Hodge also criticised Defra for its lack of responsibility towards local flood management systems.
"It is not acceptable that local people should be left in doubt about where responsibility and accountability lie," she added.
While Defra maintains that it shares the responsibility for flood protection funding with the Environmental Agency and local councils, many of the latter have already faced substantial budget cuts and it is therefore unlikely that they will have any funds to spare.
Many homeowners in high risk areas could also be dealing with serious insurance costs when the government's statement of principles on insuring flood-risk properties expires next year.
The current agreement between the government and the insurance industry runs out in 2013 and, according to Ms Hodge, needs urgent replacement.
When the agreement runs out, it will leave an estimated £214 billion worth of property uninsured.
Posted by David Leonard
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