Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Extreme Climate and Weather Events: National Resilience

10 March 2026 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

ClimateEnergyEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jayne Kirkham raised concerns about extreme climate and weather events: national resilience in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Jayne Kirkham highlighted severe impacts of climate change in Cornwall, including record high temperatures and wet weather.
  • She called for better communication infrastructure, more robust transport systems, and improved emergency planning.
  • The Minister acknowledged the need for resilience and mentioned a 10.5 billion investment in flood defences to protect 900,000 properties.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

Jayne Kirkham, a Cornish MP, highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Cornwall, noting that the region has experienced some of the highest temperatures and wettest weather on record. She emphasised the need for greater resilience and preparedness for flooding, citing the recent Storm Goretti that caused significant damage and disruptions. She called for better communication infrastructure, more robust transport systems, and improved emergency planning, suggesting Cornwall as a pilot area for emergency storm resilience measures. She also discussed the importance of community emergency plans and personal preparedness.

Other contributors (3)
  • Unnamed Member

    The MP agreed with the hon. Member on the need to prioritise flooding and the importance of cross-departmental strategies.

  • Unnamed Member

    The MP agreed with the need for a strategic plan for rail infrastructure in the south-west.

  • Unnamed Member

    The MP agreed that Cornwall could serve as a pilot area for emergency storm resilience measures.

Government Response

Dan Jarvis

The Minister thanked Jayne Kirkham for her advocacy and acknowledged the importance of building resilience to extreme weather events. He noted the Government’s commitment to long-term action, including a £10.5 billion investment in flood defences to protect 900,000 properties. The Minister highlighted the response to Storm Goretti, emphasising the co-ordinated efforts of emergency services and the review of response measures. He also discussed the challenges faced by farmers and the importance of telecommunications resilience, underlining the Government’s efforts to strengthen back-up power arrangements and improve situational awareness.

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