West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today called on insurance companies to improve their systems to take flood defences into account when fixing annual premiums. The MP was speaking following a series of meetings in Westminster and the county discussing the continuing problem of flood insurance. Today, Harriett opened the Powick flood defences providing protection for homes, businesses and the vital link road between Malvern and Worcester. Last week, Harriett led a group discussion in Sedgeberrow to air concerns about proposals which threaten to dramatically change insurance cover arrangements over the coming years. Harriett commented: “As we complete local flood schemes across the county, more and more properties will be protected and their flood risks will reduce. “It is essential that the insurance companies take these facts into account when offering insurance cover. “I hope that some of these homes will now be able to benefit from reduced premiums – properly reflecting that the Government has invested many millions of pounds in infrastructure improvements. “There are many home-owners who are coming to me complaining that they are still being left with huge premiums or even without cover and the insurance industry is not behaving at all fairly. “The Government will be issuing a statement on flood insurance policy before the end of the year and I hope that this will lead to fairer insurance premiums for local people.”