Flood victims say compensation is an insult

People who were forced out of their homes due to flooding have called an offer of compensation by a water company as "insulting".

Residents of a street in Bootle had to move from their homes in September after a United Utilities (UU) equipment fault contributed to severe flooding.

At a community meeting on Friday the company's offer of £1,000 per household with an additional £250 per resident in the home affected was described by residents as "disgusting".

The UU representative said the payment had been calculated "using standardised principles to ensure fairness".

"We have considered this and for those residents who have had to move out from their homes into temporary accommodations they will receive the final claim," the representative said.

"This is to recognise the disruption this has caused to you and your families."

The announcement was met by shocked gasps at a meeting at St Leonard's community centre.

More than four months later residents are still living in temporary accommodation as they wait for their homes to be repaired.

One resident said: "£1,000 is an insult. Have you taken into consideration the impact on people's health?"

Another added: "It's disgusting, it's a smack in the face.

"We're not just talking about damaged stuff here, we're talking about damaged homes, broken up families.

"You don't seem to understand what you have done to this community."

Since the meeting UU has made residents a new offer of £5,000 compensation per household which had suffered internal damage, with an additional £1,000 per resident of the household.

Households with no internal damage have been offered an inconvenience payment of £2,500.

The company also said it would donate £4,000 to St Leonard's Community Centre, in addition to the £1,000 donation that had already been made.

In a previous statement a United Utilities representative said the company recognised residents "had been through a difficult time" and its priority was "to ensure all individual needs are being met including compensation claims so that they can be dealt with quickly".

"We have been discussing compensation claims with residents individually as each household has differing circumstances and we are currently working through the extent of those claims."

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