Government support for flood risk households

Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is setting out plans to contribute at least £5 million to a scheme to support households in England which face a particularly high risk of flooding but which are not protected by traditional community level defences.

The funding comes on top of any help already provided by local authorities, the insurance industry and households themselves.

A consultation inviting views on how best the money can be spent is being published today and looks at the possibility of providing a free home flood survey and offering a grant to cover some of the costs of the measures themselves.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said: "Traditional community level defences are not a viable answer to flooding in all areas, but individual householders can make a big difference themselves by protecting their properties. The Government wants to support people in making relatively simple changes which can nevertheless have a huge impact on a property's resilience. Measures such as door-boards, air-brick covers, water-proof walls and floors, and raised electrics, can all reduce any potential damage caused by floodwater.

"Research suggests that these measures can also cut the financial costs of flooding by 50 - 80 per cent. They lessen the disruption and distress, and can halve the amount of time it takes to dry out and repair a property.

"Putting a package of measures in place can cost £4,000 to £5,000 for the average semi-detached house, but it could prevent flood damage of up to tens of thousands of pounds, as well as the attendant distress and disruption that flooding can cause."

Floods Recovery Minister John Healey said: "Last summer's floods were the worst for a generation, affecting 48,000 homes and prompting over 180,000 insurance claims.

"While councils and insurers continue working to get people back home as quickly as possible, and £133 million Government funding has been made available to communities to help them get back on their feet, the floods showed that individuals can also do their bit to minimise flooding risk and damage.

"Even small practical steps can make a big difference when floods hit. So I welcome the extra £5 million that will be made available to help homeowners take the most effective steps to protect their properties."