Bill Gloyn, chairman of real estate Europe for Aon’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group and president of the City Property Association, told PIN that the Government has failed in its duty to protect the British people against the continuing risk of flooding.

In the summer of 2008, the UK suffered some of the worst flooding in recent history. The insurance industry estimated that there was approximately £3bn of claims following the floods. In recent weeks the UK has again endured a further series of floods, which have damaged homes and businesses in the affected areas. Gloyn warned that if the Government fails to act on the issue of flood defence then insurers will refuse to cover properties in high risk areas.

Following the floods of 2007, the Pitt Review offered a series of recommendations to the Government. However, Gloyn believes that the review did not go far enough as it failed to address the issue of defence. Of those recommendations which it did make, many are still to be considered by the Government for 2009.

Gloyn told PIN: “What the Government needs to do is provide hard facts, figures and plans on what can be done regarding the risk of flooding. The big problem is that it is likely to cost a phenomenal amount of money in the long-term. The Government is meant to be there to protect the British people, and the public deserve an honest assessment and honest answers.”