Government commitments to reduce the risk of flooding are not being delivered "on the ground", according to a report published today by the ABI.
The ABI's Statement of Principles on flood insurance, which ensures that flood insurance remains widely available, depends on the flood risk being adequately managed.
Stephen Haddrill, the ABI's director general, said: "Much has changed for the better in the last five years, but more work is needed in the next five years as well. The government has now got the right policies, but they are not being fully delivered.”
The ABI report, 'Revisiting the partnership: five years on from Autumn 2000', argues that the increased level of investment in flood defences needs to be sustained over the longer term.
The report says that while there is now better planning guidance, and more accountable funding arrangements, the ABI is concerned that it remains unclear how the increased investment is reducing risk locally, and which communities are benefiting from improved protection.
As an example, it cited Barlby in North Yorkshire as still not having a completed flood defence scheme despite being at high flood risk, while parts of neighbouring Malton have inadequate defences.
It also said that an integrated plan is needed to tackle urban flooding with the urgent removal of Britain's largely Victorian drainage system that is struggling to cope with the increase in urban flash flooding.
