Last week the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee questioned the Minister responsible for flooding, Dan Rogerson MP, about the Government’s response to the severe flooding that affected parts of Britain in December and January. Mr Rogerson, along with Paul Leinster of the Environment Agency and Mike Jones of the Local Government Association, were called before the Committee to give emergency evidence following the worst winter storms for over 20 years.
Mr Rogerson recently admitted that flood spending had fallen under the Coalition, while the Secretary of State was recently criticised by flood-hit residents in Somerset for not doing enough to help people in crisis.
Emma asked Mr Leinster to confirm how quickly flood defences damaged by recent weather could be restored. He explained that in many cases assessments were not possible as the defences themselves were still underwater, but reassured the Committee that “people and property are being protected.”
Emma also asked the Minister if he would bring forward plans to give the Fire and Rescue Services a duty to manage flood situations. This was a key recommendation of the Pitt Review into the 2007 floods, and would improve communication between the different agencies involved in flood management by clarifying the Fire and Rescue Services’ role. The proposal is supported by the Fire Brigades Union.
Mr Rogerson said he had been “revisiting the Pitt recommendations” but claimed that “the arrangements seem to be working quite well.”
The full transcript of the Committee session can be read by clicking here.
Speaking after the evidence session, Emma said:
“The emergency services and local government services played a crucial role in responding to the terrible floods which left tens of thousands without power and damaged many properties, and I want to pay tribute to their fantastic work.
“However whilst every effort is being made to restore flood defences the fact remains that flood funding has fallen under the Coalition, even though we are seeing more and more severe weather events of this kind.”