'Thousands' still not home after floods

Tuesday, 20, May 2008 02:07

Thousands of families are still not fully returned to their homes following last summer's floods.

As the anniversary of floods - which swept through swathes of England, Wales and Northern Ireland in June and July last year - approaches, the government has confirmed 5,650 households are not fully back in their homes.

However, of these, hundreds are thought to be able to use part of their property.

Some 48,000 homes were affected by the flood water, with homes in Yorkshire; Gloucestershire; Worcestershire; Oxfordshire; Berkshire; and South Wales all affected.

Around 1,400 families remain domiciled in caravans awaiting repairs to their property - a figure described by the government as "too many".

This number has fallen by over 40 per cent between March and the end of April - down from 2,400.

Around 200 households are waiting to return to local authority or other social households - down from thousands last year.

The government recently announced a new £31 million restoration fund for local government to help support their communities.

This could include help for the most vulnerable - but it is up to local authorities to decide on an individual basis.

The sum brings total government support to date for flood-hit communities to £118 million - with financial assistance from the European Union also expected.

"Next month marks one year on from the first of last summer's floods where we saw one of the biggest operations in this country since the Second World War," said floods recovery minister, John Healey.

"A huge amount has been achieved in terms of getting communities back on their feet and the insurance industry has played a big part in this.

"But the fact remains that far too many households are still in temporary accommodation and unable to return home."

Chris O'Toole