Cover 'impossible' in flood areas

Homes in Yorkshire could be left without adequate insurance because the government is not doing enough to reduce the risk of flooding, a Wakefield MP has claimed.

Mary Creagh, Labour MP for Wakefield and the Shadow Environment Secretary, said: "We know that spending on flood defences was cut by the government by nearly 30%, from £354m in 2010 to £250m for each of the next four years.

"The insurance industry has accepted it but have said, 'Don't expect us to take up the risk'."

After the River Dearne in South Yorkshire burst its banks, Darfield resident Jason Taylor claimed £40,000 from his insurance company.

Mr Taylor said he now he finds it "virtually impossible" to find home insurance, despite having flood protection installed.

But speaking on Sunday Politics on 1 July, Timothy Kirkhope, Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, said the Conservatives were being unfairly criticised.

"Through economic stringency we cannot put as much money into flood defences as we might like," Mr Kirkhope said.