Nick Starling tells Labour flood summit that flooding is UK’s biggest natural threat

The ABI has called for cross party political support in its attempt to achieve a solution on flood cover.

ABI general insurance director Nick Starling told a Labour Party flood summit this morning that flooding is the greatest natural threat to the UK.

He noted that 2012 was the wettest on record in England, and only just short of being the wettest ever across the UK.

His comments come at a time when talks between the ABI and government over a solution to the existing Statement of Principles flood agreement, which expires at the end of June, drag on.

Starling said: “Insurers know the traumatic and devastating impact of flooding, through helping their customers recover after a flood.

“Political commitment in the key areas of investment in flood defences, sensible planning decisions, and working in partnership with the insurance industry will ensure that flood risk communities get the protection and reassurance they need.” 

He added: “Flooding is the greatest natural threat facing the UK and the risk is rising, so political consensus on how we effectively adapt to it is essential.”

Outlining the key areas where cross party agreement is needed, Starling said a new flood plan needed to incorporate:

  • a rigorous planning system that prevents developments in high flood risk areas;
  • sustained, long-term flood defence spending that keeps pace with the threat, targeted to those areas of greatest need; and
  • recognition that flood insurance can only continue to remain widely affordable and available with some form of government support, as happens in other countries.

On the latter point, he added the ABI and the government are continuing in talks on a scheme that could ensure this.

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