Minister urged to protect Littlehampton flood victims

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb raised his concerns with Richard Benyon during a debate in the House of Commons, on Thursday.

It follows in the wake of June’s freak weather, which saw dozens of homes in Littlehampton ravaged by around 4ft of flood water,

Mr Gibb said: “Thousands of my constituents now face problems with flood insurance; I am told of excesses in the tens of thousands of pounds. May I emphasise to my honourable friend, in his negotiations with the insurance industry and others, the importance to my constituents of finding a replacement for the flood insurance statement of principles as a matter of urgency?”

Mr Benyon replied by saying he would be making a visit to the worst hit areas. He assured Mr Gibb, saying he wanted to “achieve something better” than the existing statement of principles between the Government and insurers, which is expect to expire in June, this year. He said: “We recognise that there are real concerns about this, including in my constituency, where insurance premiums are being hiked dramatically. We want to protect those on low incomes who are at flood risk.”

Speaking after the debate in the Commons, Mr Gibb said the freak weather should not impact on people’s insurance premiums.

“Anecdotal evidence, however, points to many residents having great difficulty renewing their insurance,” he said.

“That is why it is so important for the agreement between the Government and the insurance industry about ensuring the availability of flood insurance to all households, is so important.

The current agreement – known as the Statement of Principles – expires in June this year. It is essential that a similar agreement is put in place urgently.”