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No return for flood-hit families No return for flood-hit families
(30 minutes later)
More than 350 families are still not back home nearly two years after some of the worst flooding for a generation, new figures show.More than 350 families are still not back home nearly two years after some of the worst flooding for a generation, new figures show.
Some are in temporary accommodation or caravans while others live on the top floor of their homes, a government survey of councils found.Some are in temporary accommodation or caravans while others live on the top floor of their homes, a government survey of councils found.
In all, 17,000 families were forced out their homes by the 2007 summer floods.In all, 17,000 families were forced out their homes by the 2007 summer floods.
Floods recovery minister John Healey said councils expected everyone to be back home "in the next few months".Floods recovery minister John Healey said councils expected everyone to be back home "in the next few months".
"Councils have reported that on the whole most of those still not back were the worst affected and understandably drying out properties has taken time," he said."Councils have reported that on the whole most of those still not back were the worst affected and understandably drying out properties has taken time," he said.
He added that in some cases their return had been delayed by a wish for extra building work to be carried out or held up by problems with insurance companies or builders.He added that in some cases their return had been delayed by a wish for extra building work to be carried out or held up by problems with insurance companies or builders.
DISPLACED FAMILIES Kingston-upon-Hull: 83East Riding of Yorkshire: 77Doncaster: 39Bassetlaw: 22Malvern Hills: 22Tewkesbury: 18West Oxfordshire: 14Cotswold: 10 Source: Department of CommunitiesDISPLACED FAMILIES Kingston-upon-Hull: 83East Riding of Yorkshire: 77Doncaster: 39Bassetlaw: 22Malvern Hills: 22Tewkesbury: 18West Oxfordshire: 14Cotswold: 10 Source: Department of Communities
Figures provided by councils show 83 families in Kingston-upon-Hull have still not settled back into their home. Of those, 12 are living in caravans.Figures provided by councils show 83 families in Kingston-upon-Hull have still not settled back into their home. Of those, 12 are living in caravans.
East Riding of Yorkshire, Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Malvern Hills and Tewkesbury also reported some of the largest numbers of families who remain displaced.East Riding of Yorkshire, Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Malvern Hills and Tewkesbury also reported some of the largest numbers of families who remain displaced.
The 2007 floods, during the wettest summer on record, damaged 48,000 homes and 9,000 businesses, caused £3.1bn worth of damage and prompted more than 180,000 insurance claims.The 2007 floods, during the wettest summer on record, damaged 48,000 homes and 9,000 businesses, caused £3.1bn worth of damage and prompted more than 180,000 insurance claims.
Last year, the government gave councils £1m in funding to provide council tax discounts for families not living in their own homes because of the floods.Last year, the government gave councils £1m in funding to provide council tax discounts for families not living in their own homes because of the floods.
John Healey said that money was still helping flood-hit households.John Healey said that money was still helping flood-hit households.
Meanwhile, a draft Flood and Water Management Bill has been published.Meanwhile, a draft Flood and Water Management Bill has been published.
A three-month consultation will take place on the draft bill, which aims to:A three-month consultation will take place on the draft bill, which aims to:
  • Reduce the likelihood and impacts of flooding
  • Better manage the risk of flooding by clarifying who is responsible for what
  • Improve water quality and give water companies better powers to conserve water in a drought
  • Reduce red tape and other burdens on water and sewerage companies and improve the overall efficiency and management of the industry
  • Reduce the likelihood and impacts of flooding
  • Better manage the risk of flooding by clarifying who is responsible for what
  • Improve water quality and give water companies better powers to conserve water in a drought
  • Reduce red tape and other burdens on water and sewerage companies and improve the overall efficiency and management of the industry
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the bill would "help us better protect the public by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in flood risk management".Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the bill would "help us better protect the public by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in flood risk management".
Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert said the "pace of the Government's response has been far too slow".
"Millions of homeowners continue to live with the risk of flooding and hundreds of families are still not back in their homes... nearly two years since summer floods caused chaos and misery," he said.
"If this happens again and measures prove inadequate the public will not forgive the Government for dragging its heels in implementing the recommendations of the Pitt Review."