London Assembly quiz Home Office on delays in 2011 riot compensation

Government officials and top figures from the insurance industry are being quizzed by London Assembly members today (Tues) on delays in compensating shopkeepers and business for losses 16 months after the 2011 summer riots.

They appear at 10am before the Assembly’s budget committee, led by John Biggs who represents east London at City Hall.

The Assembly criticised “red tape” in a report earlier this year for delays in compensation to help businesses recover from the disturbances after many were hit by looting and some by arson.

Those being questioned this-morning include two senior members of the Home Office, Strategy Finance director Stephen Webb and Police Funding policy unit’s Kevin Finch, as well as Association of British Insurers’ Nick Starling and Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters’ Malcolm Hyde.

Also under the spotlight are Deputy Mayor for Business Kit Malthouse and High Street Fund chairman Sir William Castell.

Sporadic disturbances broke out in towns and cities up and down the country in August, 2011. Worst trouble in east London was along the Roman Road where looters stripped Zee & Co boutique of up to �20,000 in designer goods. There were also disturbances in Bethnal Green Road, Mile End Road and arson and looting in Hackney’s Mare Street.