Welsh AMs want flood cover

Welsh Assembly Members (AMs) on the cross-party sustainability committee have demanded that people living in flood-risk areas must have access to affordable insurance by the end of this year, Wales Online reports.

The Assembly Government should

• Ensure that households that have taken precautions get insurance
• Retrofit houses at greatest risk
• Create a “one stop shop” to deal with all flooding inquiries
• Appoint flood wardens.
• Stop building on flood plains without an indemnity policy.

Conservative AM Angela Burns said: “We spoke to people who have suffered a one-in-100 years flood two years running and unless something radically changes it’s on the cards for this year too.

Burns, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, added: “[The] Government must look at how we mitigate the spiralling costs of insurance.

“We met too many people who have done all they can to mitigate the effects of flooding in their homes but still face annual premiums of £2,500 plus or excesses of £5,000.

“When you earn £21,000 a year, the so-called average wage for Wales, those insurance figures are a no-go.”