Royal & Sun Alliance echoes ABI flood defence concerns

Royal & Sun Alliance has blasted the government over its announcement that it will not increase flood defence spending to £800 until 2010.

Alan Gairns, property development manager said: "We are very disappointed .... The severe flooding events of this summer highlights the need for this increased investment to come on stream as soon as possible in order to minimise the risk of a repeat of these floods."

Gairns pointed to the 2004 findings of the government's own Scientific Department, which said funding should be immediately increased to take account of climate change. The Environment Agency recently identified a further £150m was needed for maintenance of existing defences.

Gairns continued: "For a number of years now we have seen rainfall patterns changing - Boscastle, Carlisle, North Yorkshire and now this summers floods have all shown the consequences of severe rainfall. Despite this Government have kept spending at 2005 levels."

R&SA said it was committed to continuing to providing affordable flood cover but this is reliant on the Government continuing to invest sufficiently in building and maintaining flood defences. "If Government are to deliver on this a step change in funding is required from 2008. [This week's] announcement suggests Government are content to leave homeowners at unacceptable risk of flooding."