A flood insurance fund may help stricken residents in Perth and Kinross, it has been claimed.
Members of the insurance industry have been in talks with the UK Government and have announced a proposal to build up a fund, using a levy on insurers, to cover the cost of flooding.
The scheme will mean householders in high-risk areas will have the cost of their insurance capped. This should mean a positive step for residents of Milnathort and Comrie.
Milnathort suffered flooding in 2006 when 40 people had to be evacuated after the River Queich burst its banks. Comrie was hit by two floods, in August and November last year. In both instances, the Water of Ruchill burst its banks.
Around 200 people were evacuated in November in Comrie, with 60 properties affected in August. As a result, Perth and Kinross Council rolled out a £1 million flood defence scheme for the Strathearn village.
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, welcomed the memorandum of understanding between the UK Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to deliver a flood insurance fund. “Flooding is terrible for anyone affected by it,” she said.
“For many homes and businesses hit by flooding in recent years such as the flooding we have seen in both Milnathort and Comrie the flood insurance fund will help to ensure that people who live in property with a high risk of flooding will have affordable premiums and the helping to secure affordable insurance for people in the long-term.”