Homeowners fear they are being let down by the government when it comes to flood prevention, a new study reveals today.
Homeowners fear they are being let down by the government when it comes to flood prevention, a new study reveals today.
Over three quarters of people say government - both local and central - should be doing more to prevent a repeat of the flood devastation experienced by more than 10,000 homeowners in the last 18 months.*
With recent heavy rain and flood warnings in place across the country, research from Norwich Union shows that over half of residents say they are ready to take the matter into their own hands and lobby government in an attempt to better safeguard their properties.
But more than a third of people don’t know how to go about lobbying their local MP and government in campaigning for changes.
To help residents and business owners, Norwich Union - which itself is lobbying for better flood defences and planning regulations - is launching a new national campaign to encourage people to establish their own local flood action group.
The UK’s largest insurer will be giving advice and providing local people with the knowledge to help them make a real difference in the fight against floods.
Many high risk areas are still without adequate flood defences and property developers continue to build on flood plains. This is why Norwich Union is encouraging property owners and businesses - both flood victims and people living in high risk areas – to join the ‘Home and Dry’ campaign and fight for better flood defences and improved planning processes.
Announcing the initiative, Nick Pierson, head of household products for Norwich Union, said: “There are almost two million residential and commercial properties at risk of flooding in England. Flooding is traumatic and causes widespread damage to property – we want to prevent floods happening in the first place, which is why we’re lobbying the government to take immediate action.
“Our research shows that more than 70 per cent of people believe they can make a real difference by lobbying in their local area. The power of these individuals and small groups should not be underestimated – if their voices are heard by the right people, they have the potential to be very influential, and our information pack aims to simplify the process and help them on their way.”
Norwich Union’s free ‘Home and Dry’ action pack includes information about:
- where responsibility lies locally and centrally for flood and coastline defences
- the role of a local flood action group
- how to set up a local flood action group and attract members
- how to contact local MPs and work with them
- dealing with the media
- practical tips for what to do in the event of a flood.
Peter Barnett, chairman of the National Flood Forum, said: “Part of the reason for setting up the National Flood Forum is to assist communities in establishing effective local groups and to provide a support structure for them.
“We believe that the best way for local communities to mitigate the effects of flooding is to work in co-operation with the various agencies that are involved at local and national level. Norwich Union’s campaign will help at-risk communities understand the need for active local participation and we welcome this initiative.”
For a free copy of Norwich Union’s Home and Dry action pack, call 0800 093 0303
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Press contact:
Anja Kueppers, Jane Wheeler or Matthew Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Liz Kennett/Jenny Chapman at Norwich Union on 08703 666 863
Notes to Editors
- Norwich Union commissioned Taylor Nelson Sofres to conduct an independent survey of 1,000 homeowners and Continental Research to conduct a survey of 300 small to medium business owners. Both surveys were carried out in August 2001
* Source: Environment Agency ‘Lessons Learned’, March 2001
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. In general insurance it is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest competitor, and has a 19 per cent share of the market. It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies, and Norwich Union Direct.
- Member of the General Insurance Standards Council
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on this internet site
- A selection of images is available from the CGNU Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcast. Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68
- For further information and a copy of the ‘Home and Dry’ action pack you can go on-line at www.norwichunion.com/floods
For all life and pension media enquiries 08703 66 68 73 For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68
- The National Flood Forum is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to reducing the suffering of people from flooding, conducting research on available remedies and disseminating good practice throughout the UK.