GOVERNMENT proposals to ensure people in flood risk areas can get insurance are good but do not go far enough, says York Central MP Hugh Bayley.

The Labour MP said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was currently out to consultation on The Flood Reinsurance Scheme – Regulations, which aimed to find the best approach to address the availability and affordability of flood insurance in risk areas such as York.

He claimed the proposals had not taken account of climate change which could make them unaffordable over time and they also did not give sufficient support to businesses.

"I have visited businesses in Tower Street and Peckett Street that have been flooded," he said. "They couldn’t keep trading if they didn’t have insurance.

"I am concerned that the decision to exclude small and medium businesses from the proposals outlined in the consultation document could cause them further problems."