Initiatives to reduce the risk of flooding for Britain's 1.8 million flood vulnerable property owners are being undermined by the lack of a co-ordinated, strategic flood management strategy, the Association of British Insurers has warned.

Forum Response: Association of British Insurers

A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers told ePolitix.com: "Property owners can take steps to reduce the risk of flooding, and be better prepared if flooding occurs. We fully support the Environment Agency's Flood Warning Scheme, want to see greater use of flood prevention or reduction products, and encourage property owners to press their local authority and MP for better flood defences.

"However, there is only so much individuals can do on their own. Key decisions on flood defences and flood management rest with the government. The current lack of an effective flood defence strategy in the UK means that much-needed improvements to many flood defences are hampered by complex bureaucracy, as well as under-funding. Speedy decisions and action to improve flood defences are urgently required.

"While the government's latest consultation document on flood defence funding contains some welcome proposals, what we now need is government action.

"Insurers want to continue to provide affordable flood cover to as many property owners as possible. We are acutely aware of how important insurance protection is for flood vulnerable homeowners and businesses. This is why, in the face of the increasing flood risk, we want to see urgent government action to improve flood defences."

Forum Response: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Peter Faulkner, president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, told ePolitix.com: "Global warming, with warmer, wetter winters leading to serious flooding is now a reality,' he said. 'But the present system prevents the rapid response needed to put in place measures to deal with repeated flooding. The planning system is not sufficiently flexible or quick enough to stop building on run-off areas or flood plains, which adds to the problem by sending floodwater elsewhere.

"Who do you turn to when the water is running down your high street? There are eight separate sets of legislation dealing with flood and coastal defences, 254 individual bodies, plus local authorities, all coupled to an incredibly complex and detailed funding system.

"With over 1.5 million homes and commercial business properties with a value in excess of £200 billion, and 13 million hectares of farmland worth £7 billion, at risk, a system that is capable of making and implementing rapid decisions is urgently needed.

"The recent government proposals to tax flood victims does not address the wider issues of prevention and control. It will almost certainly lead to 'flood blight' for properties in certain areas, even those not affected by water, resulting in increased insurance premiums, and in many cases a reduction in the value of the property."