A new flood resilience kitemark is needed for housing developments planned in the floodplain, the ABI (Association of British Insurers) said today. The voluntary kitemark would set minimum construction standards, such as the use of  water-resistant building materials.

Speaking today at the EXPO CO2 conference in Barcelona, Stephen Haddrill, the ABI’s Director General, said:

“We need new homes, but the UK Government’s plans to build three million homes by 2020 are in jeopardy unless we make them more resistant to flooding. A new standard and kitemark for new housing developments would benefit consumers, developers and insurers.

“Consumers would have more confidence in a property’s ability to withstand a flood, developers could use it as a marketing tool, and insurers would be better placed to offer competitively-priced flood insurance. And it would help make the Government’s vision a reality.”  

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Notes for Editors

1.            Enquiries to:       

         Alan Leaman    020 7216 7440 (Mobile: 07957 482 330)

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         Erfan Hussain       020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)

         Kelly Ostler-Coyle   020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)      

2.            The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold up to a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers.

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