Stephen Worrall is supporting the campaign for Flood Free Homes which launched on Tuesday 20^th January. The campaign has been launched by the Association of British Insurers, supported by Friends of the Earth, Know Your Flood Risk, National Flood Forum, and the Property Care Association’s Flood Protection Group. The aim of the campaign is to raise the issue of long term flood defence investment and land and water management.

Flooding has long been recognised as the greatest natural threat the UK faces. With Environment Agency data showing around 2 million homes in England and Wales at flood risk now from the rivers and sea, with over 500,000 of these at ‘moderate’ risk or greater, and around 2.4 million additional homes at risk of surface water flooding, we know this is a serious problem facing the country today.

Without action to reduce the risk across the UK, the effect on our homes, businesses, communities, infrastructure and way of life is potentially devastating.

Stephen said:

“I am supporting the campaign for Flood Free Homes which calls for effective management of our land and water. I know the devastating impact that flooding has had on the constituents of High Peak, I can remember the floods in Glossop for example not all that long ago, and I want to make sure that home-owners and local businesses do not suffer from destructive floods in the future. We need ambitious long term solutions to ensure that our communities are protected.”

Huw Evans, Deputy Director General at the ABI, said:

“The need for this campaign to address the UK’s rising flood threat has never been more important. No action is not an option. Last winter’s floods highlighted the trauma and devastation flooding brings. How we manage our land and water has to become central to government decision making across the UK, whoever is in power.

“Without adequate long-term investment in flood defence protection that reflects the increasing threat, a zero tolerance towards building in flood risk areas and political agreement, too many communities will continue to live with the constant fear of flooding.”

Flood Free Homes is campaigning for:

• By 2025 £1 billion per year to be spent managing flood risk in order to keep pace with climate change.
• A zero tolerance of inappropriate new developments in areas at risk of flooding.
• Cross party consensus on ambitious long term solutions that manage all types of flood risk.

How to get involved and find out more information

• Visit the campaign website floodfreehomes.org.uk
• Follow the campaign on Twitter @FloodFreeHomes
• Like the campaign on Facebook Facebook.com/floodfreehomes2025
• Email us floodfreehomes@abi.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Flood Free Homes Campaign is a campaign led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), with support from a number of other organisations. The ABI is the voice of the UK insurance industry, representing general insurance and long-term savings and life insurance. The ABI has over 250 members, which account for around 90% of the UK insurance premiums. The ABI and the organisations supporting the Flood Free Homes Campaign are not affiliated with any political party, nor do they endorse the views of any political party or its individual members.
2. For information about the campaign or any of the supporters, please contact Malcolm Tarling tarling@abi.org.uk 020 7216 7410 Mobile: 07776 147 667 or Caroline Jones caroline.jones@abi.org.uk 020 7216 7327.