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Insurers urged to process flood claims quickly Insurers urged to process flood claims quickly
(35 minutes later)
The prime minister is urging the insurance industry to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible.The prime minister is urging the insurance industry to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible.
David Cameron is also calling on insurers to offer more help to dry out homes. More than 5,000 homes and businesses are estimated to have been flooded since the start of December.David Cameron is also calling on insurers to offer more help to dry out homes. More than 5,000 homes and businesses are estimated to have been flooded since the start of December.
No 10 will hold a round table with industry representatives on Tuesday. No 10 will hold a meeting with industry representatives on Tuesday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England.The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" warning for rain in south-west England.
Sixteen severe flood warnings are also in place in southern England.Sixteen severe flood warnings are also in place in southern England.
Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have already seen moderate bursts of rain on Monday, while around 1,500 people are still without power after cuts which hit last week. Cornwall, parts of Somerset and Devon have already seen moderate bursts of rain on Monday, while around 800 people are still without power across southern England and parts of Wales after cuts due to storms last week.
The prime minister, who is visiting Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire to meet residents who have been hit by floods, will chair another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee later.The prime minister, who is visiting Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire to meet residents who have been hit by floods, will chair another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee later.
Members of his cabinet office will chair Tuesday's round table with insurance representatives. He said while the government had increased spending on flood defences in the past, there were still lessons to be learned from the latest floods.
"There are always lessons to learn," Mr Cameron said.
"Always important after every flood to ask what other things could be done, what other things should be done, what other schemes should be looked at and we will make sure we learn all the lessons."
Meanwhile, members of his cabinet office will chair Tuesday's meeting with insurance representatives.
Mr Cameron's official spokesman said the insurance industry should do its best to maximise help to flood-hit victims, including the "speedy" processing of claims and the provision of dehumidifiers to dry properties out.Mr Cameron's official spokesman said the insurance industry should do its best to maximise help to flood-hit victims, including the "speedy" processing of claims and the provision of dehumidifiers to dry properties out.
He declined to say whether the sector should be offering "premium holidays" to those who have been flooded.He declined to say whether the sector should be offering "premium holidays" to those who have been flooded.
Persistent rain Saturated ground
Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday.Up to 20mm (0.8in) of rain is forecast in south-west England on Monday.
The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but the Met Office warning was in place because of the saturated ground. There are also concerns about south Wales. The BBC Weather Centre said this would not normally cause too many problems but the Met Office warning was in place because ground was already saturated. There are also concerns about south Wales.
As well as severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has almost 300 less serious flood warnings and flood alerts in England and Wales.As well as severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has almost 300 less serious flood warnings and flood alerts in England and Wales.
However, the situation in the worst-hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week.However, the situation in the worst-hit areas of the Thames is expected to improve this week.
Tuesday should be brighter and drier, with temperatures higher than average for this time of year, said BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor.Tuesday should be brighter and drier, with temperatures higher than average for this time of year, said BBC Weather forecaster Matt Taylor.
Another area of low pressure looks set to arrive on Thursday and Friday, with stronger winds and more rain, but it is not expected to be as intense as last week.Another area of low pressure looks set to arrive on Thursday and Friday, with stronger winds and more rain, but it is not expected to be as intense as last week.
'Vital' help'Vital' help
The prime minister had earlier announced a £10m fund to help businesses recover from the floods.The prime minister had earlier announced a £10m fund to help businesses recover from the floods.
Small and medium-sized companies affected by storms will have access to funds as part of the Business Support Scheme.Small and medium-sized companies affected by storms will have access to funds as part of the Business Support Scheme.
Businesses are also being given extra time to file their accounts, without being penalised. A helpline is being launched and can be reached on 0300 456 3565.Businesses are also being given extra time to file their accounts, without being penalised. A helpline is being launched and can be reached on 0300 456 3565.
Business secretary Vince Cable said: "It is vital that small businesses affected by the flooding get assistance as quickly as possible.Business secretary Vince Cable said: "It is vital that small businesses affected by the flooding get assistance as quickly as possible.
"We know the insurance companies are working to process claims as quickly as possible and we will inform local authorities of their allocations from the Business Support Scheme on Thursday to assist businesses with clean-up costs or help them to continue trading.""We know the insurance companies are working to process claims as quickly as possible and we will inform local authorities of their allocations from the Business Support Scheme on Thursday to assist businesses with clean-up costs or help them to continue trading."
Business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon said : "The scheme we're announcing today is specifically designed to help the very smallest businesses - the local shops in the village, the local stores, the independents." Business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon said: "The scheme we're announcing today is specifically designed to help the very smallest businesses - the local shops in the village, the local stores, the independents."
He told the BBC it would give them "some immediate help", adding each business would be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to assist their recovery.He told the BBC it would give them "some immediate help", adding each business would be able to apply for a grant of up to £2,500 to assist their recovery.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
Enter your postcode to see alerts near youEnter your postcode to see alerts near you
Former energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said it had been "a mistake" not to maintain flood defence expenditure at a higher level in 2010. In other new developments:
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "I think we need to move on and recognise that these new threats from climate change are far more severe to our national interest and our economic wellbeing that many of the old threats."
Storm victimsStorm victims
Two people were killed on Friday - cruise ship passenger James Swinstead, 85, of Colchester, Essex, and minicab driver Julie Sillitoe, 49, from north London.Two people were killed on Friday - cruise ship passenger James Swinstead, 85, of Colchester, Essex, and minicab driver Julie Sillitoe, 49, from north London.
Mr Swinstead died after waves crashed through a window of the cruise ship MS Marco Polo as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.Mr Swinstead died after waves crashed through a window of the cruise ship MS Marco Polo as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.
His widow Helen criticised the vessel as "badly maintained". Operator Cruise and Maritime Voyages said the ship had undergone "stringent and rigorous surveys".His widow Helen criticised the vessel as "badly maintained". Operator Cruise and Maritime Voyages said the ship had undergone "stringent and rigorous surveys".
It has now deemed fit to sail after police and port authority inspections and left Tilbury for another cruise on Sunday with about 800 passengers on board. The ship has been deemed fit to sail after police and port authority inspections, and left Tilbury for another cruise on Sunday with about 800 passengers on board.
Mother-of-three Mrs Sillitoe died when falling masonry hit her taxi near Holborn Underground station in central London.Mother-of-three Mrs Sillitoe died when falling masonry hit her taxi near Holborn Underground station in central London.
Bob Thomas, 77, also died on Friday, two days after he was hit by a falling tree in his garden in Caernarfon, north-west Wales.Bob Thomas, 77, also died on Friday, two days after he was hit by a falling tree in his garden in Caernarfon, north-west Wales.
Are you in one of the flooded areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Have you had to contact your insurance company about flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'UK weather'. Are you in one of the flooded areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'UK weather'.
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