Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans yesterday spoke in the House of Commons on the impact of Storm Desmond on Lancashire and the Ribble Valley.
Speaking to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Liz Truss, Mr Evans said, ‘Parts of my constituency have been affected by the floods that have wrought so much damage throughout the north-west. May I reinforce the point about insurance claims? They should be met speedily, not in six or nine months’ time. People’s needs are now, not in six or nine months. Will my right hon. Friend also make it clear to insurance companies that they will be looked at very carefully if they start to withdraw cover from people who have been affected by these floods? Withdrawing cover blights people’s homes, following the devastation that they have just suffered.’
In response the Minister replied,
‘My hon. Friend makes an extremely good point. We will work with insurance companies to make sure that people receive prompt payments and that we can get people back into their homes as soon as possible.’
Speaking from Westminster after the debate Mr Evans said,
“Storm Desmond has devastated much of the North West and effected parts of the Ribble Valley. Now is not the time for insurance companies to delay in their help to those affected by these devastating floods. I fully expect the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to take action if a large number of people do not receive the help they need from insurers.”