West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today welcomed a deal which will guarantee long-term flood insurance cover for homes and businesses across the county. The Government and UK insurers have reached an agreement which will ensure that hundreds of properties in Worcestershire will be able to buy affordable flood insurance. Harriett has campaigned to protect the large number of constituents who faced unaffordable insurance bills once a so-called Statement of Principles between the insurance companies and the Government expired last month but was granted an emergency extension by both parties. The new agreement will cap flood insurance premiums, linking them to council tax bands so that people will know the maximum they will have to pay. To fund this, a new industry-backed levy will enable insurance companies to cover those at most risk of flooding. All UK household insurers will have to pay into this pool, creating a fund that can be used to pay claims for people in high-risk homes. Harriett commented: “This is important progress towards a long-term solution for property owners in my constituency who can face the threat of flooding several times a year. “I am pleased to see that the core aim is to deliver affordable insurance and I will now keep an eye on this issue and urge any constituent with a problem getting cover to get in touch. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “Flooding is terrible for anyone affected by it. We have worked extremely hard with the industry to reach an agreement on the future of flood insurance. “There are still areas to work through but this announcement means that people no longer need to live in fear of being uninsurable and that those at most risk can get protection, now and in the future.”