Help could be at hand for flood-hit tenants who struggling to get insurance in the wake of Storm Desmond.

Flood Re, which works with insurance companies to help offer more affordable policies to homes at risk of flooding, is not currently available to those on long-lease tenancies.

But those behind the scheme said they are happy to look at ways in which it could be extended, having been approached by Carlisle MP John Stevenson.

He said that a number of residents – particularly those living in Caldewgate – have approached him for advice on the matter.

“Anyone on a long-lease tenancy, for example 99-year leases, isn’t insured if their landlord hasn’t been able to get insurance,” he said.

“When Parliament resumes in October, I will be pushing to see whether the Flood Re scheme can be extended so that it will include freehold properties which are rented out on a long lease.

“It seems that people who are renting are unable to get insurance. You’ve got to remember that it’s still their home and that they need protection.”

Mr Stevenson explained that, should the leaseholder take on a share of the freehold, then it could mean they are eligible for insurance under the Flood Re scheme.

Representatives from Flood Re were at Carlisle’s Tullie House yesterday to meet with Mr Stevenson and city councillors to discuss the scheme. They are currently completing a cycling challenge from Land’s End to John o’Groats, stopping off at areas which have been hit by floods.

Harriet Boughton, head of legal at Flood Re, said at the moment, the scheme is not available to leaseholders in England.

“It is available to properties in Scotland, such as tenements,” she said. “There are a few legal quirks that mean people there are eligible but not in England. It’s something that we would have to look at but we’re happy to work with John to see if we can help more people get insurance.”

Harraby councillor Lee Sherriff urged flood-hit residents across Carlisle who were struggling to get insurance to look at Flood Re.

She said: “We’ve seen a low uptake in the resources that have been made available, including the £5,000 resilience grants.

“There have been a lot of homes which were covered during Storm Desmond but now it’s come for owners to renew their policies, they’ve struggled to get insurance.

“It’s better to be prepared so looking at whether you can get insurance through Flood Re is definitely something that’s worth doing.

“We don’t know what could happen this winter so it’s best to be prepared.”