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Storm Éowyn 2025-01-27
27 January 2025
Lead MP
Pat McFadden
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
ClimateNorthern Ireland
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Pat McFadden raised concerns about storm éowyn 2025-01-27 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government issued emergency mobile phone alerts to approximately 4.5 million people in Northern Ireland and Scotland, facilitating a coordinated response to Storm Éowyn's severe impacts, including power outages affecting around 805,000 properties across Scotland and Northern Ireland alone. The storm caused extensive damage, particularly in these regions, with significant disruption to transport and water supplies. Despite initial challenges, restoration efforts are progressing, although it may take up to 10 days for full reconnection of power, highlighting the urgency for continued assistance.
Asked about future storm preparedness exercises and critical infrastructure resilience. Emphasised the importance of the Government understanding challenges faced by devolved authorities in funding storm preparation and response. Inquired about mutual aid arrangements for Northern Ireland, including the number of engineers sent to restore power (102 currently) and further assistance needed.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Described the damage caused by Storm Éowyn in her constituency, including power outages affecting around 15,000 people. Emphasised the importance of learning from this event to improve future responses and highlighted issues with the priority services register and reliance on phone lines during emergencies.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Acknowledged Storm Éowyn as one of the strongest storms in a decade, praised those who worked to support others during difficult times. Raised concerns about funding for flood defences and requested additional support for farmers through natural flood management.
Penrith and Solway
Complimented local authority staff and contractors for their efforts during Storm Éowyn but questioned the eligibility criteria of the Bellwin scheme, suggesting it does not sufficiently support emergency response costs.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Praised those working to restore power in his constituency but highlighted the need for an effective system to identify elderly and vulnerable individuals during emergencies.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Acknowledged local authority staff and community members who helped during the storm, asked the Government to prioritise rural communities' needs in the national resilience review.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Offered sympathies and thanked those involved in responding to Storm Éowyn. Questioned the effectiveness of battery back-up phones during power outages and urged efforts to tackle carbon emissions.
Fred Thomas
Lab
Plymouth Moor View
Highlights recent events like Storm Éowyn, CIA's statement on covid origin, and Russian spy boat deployment. Questions whether resilience should be siloed in the Cabinet Office or if it needs to be more interconnected.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Commends emergency services and community groups for their assistance during Storm Éowyn. Asks about Northern Ireland Executive's preparedness and the need for more proactive measures before such events occur.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Raises concerns about climate change impact on flooding in urban areas, citing a recent extreme rainstorm that caused damage and homelessness in her constituency. Requests inclusion of drainage infrastructure in the Government’s resilience review.
Andrew Snowden
Con
Fylde
Acknowledges the beauty but vulnerability of his flat coastal constituency to storm-related flooding. Inquires about funding for pumping stations and timelines for sustainable drainage systems legislation.
Edinburgh West
Thanks emergency services and acknowledges damage in her constituency due to Storm Éowyn. Requests a review of safeguards within the emergency alert system, particularly concerning domestic abuse victims and hearing-impaired individuals.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Describes the severe impact of Storm Éowyn in Strangford, with many areas still without electricity. Criticises Northern Ireland Electricity's helpline service and urges prioritisation for pensioners' homes.
Tiverton and Minehead
Describes flooding in her constituency due to Storm Éowyn, highlighting the plight of an elderly resident. Asks if funding mechanisms will be revised to better protect rural villages from future adverse weather.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrié
Thanked workers for their efforts and praised the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's response, noting that more resources are needed to restore power to those in Northern Ireland. He expressed concerns about resources being sent to the Republic of Ireland instead of staying within Northern Ireland.
Acknowledged Sammy Wilson's points and provided details on the number of engineers (over 100) deployed to assist in restoring power. Emphasised that resources can sometimes be directed across the border for efficiency, given the physical link between Northern Ireland and the Republic's electricity grids.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antriém
Expressed appreciation for those working to restore power but also raised concerns about the cost of mutual aid, questioning who bears the ultimate financial responsibility. Mentioned a tragic loss of life involving a generator and highlighted potential under-preparedness by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Conveyed condolences for those affected by tragedy and stated that his focus has been on delivering immediate assistance without delay or debate about costs. Acknowledged the need to address financial questions later but prioritised swift response over cost considerations.
Government Response
Responded to questions by acknowledging ongoing resilience efforts, praising community solidarity, emphasising the importance of learning from emergencies to improve future responses. Acknowledged the need for better systems to identify vulnerable individuals during emergencies and emphasised the Government’s commitment to tackling carbon emissions.
Shadow Response
Mike Wood
Shadow Response
Asked about future storm preparedness exercises, critical infrastructure resilience, and devolved authorities' funding challenges. Inquired about mutual aid arrangements for Northern Ireland, including the number of engineers sent to restore power (102 currently) and further assistance needed.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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