THE Federation of Small Businesses is calling for additional insurance measures from the government for flood affected businesses.

With many businesses in Lancashire and Cumbria struggling to get flood cover, the FSB is calling on the government to back businesses in flood hit regions by providing insurance.

Businesses that cannot get flood cover are left at risk of failing if weather conditions leave businesses unable to trade or recover quickly.

Gary Lovatt, FSB regional chairman for Lancashire and Cumbria said that businesses are suffering as a result of being unable to secure insurance.

Mr Lovatt said: “Recent FSB research suggests around 75,000 smaller businesses at risk of flooding have found it difficult to find flood insurance and 50,000 have been refused for flood insurance cover.

“FSB has previously expressed serious concern that small businesses are excluded from the Government’s flood programme, Flood RE, which guarantees affordable flood insurance.

“Ministers should look again at the availability of affordable and comprehensive flood insurance for small businesses, potentially through a dedicated Flood Re style agreement.

The chairman believes that Cumbrian economy will suffer further damages if businesses are unable to secure the essential protection for enterprise.

Mr Lovatt said: “The financial cost to small businesses following the 2012 flooding was £200 million.

“We can’t hope to create a buoyant economy, particularly in rural areas, if vulnerable small businesses can’t sufficiently protect themselves from increasingly unpredictable and severe weather that in the worst cases can close a business.”