← Back to House of Commons Debates
Flood Response
10 February 2020
Lead MP
Theresa Villiers
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationEmploymentTransportClimateWalesAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Theresa Villiers raised concerns about flood response 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 Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressed condolences to the family and friends affected by the flooding caused by Storm Ciara. She highlighted the significant rainfall across northern England, with severe impacts on communities in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. Over 500 properties have been flooded so far, but the number is expected to increase as further information comes in. The Government activated the Bellwin scheme to provide financial support to local authorities affected by the storm, committing to ongoing investment in flood defences through a £2.6 billion programme up to 2021 and an additional £4 billion up to 2026.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
The Opposition Member of Parliament thanked the Secretary of State for her statement and expressed concerns over the climate crisis's impact on extreme weather. He urged the Government to take proactive measures, acknowledging that austerity has affected local authorities' ability to respond to flooding. Pollard called for a comprehensive plan for flooding that includes reversing cuts to frontline services, investing in flood prevention, promoting land use change, and providing proper funding for councils in high-risk areas.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Chippenham
The Government have a comprehensive programme to tackle climate change, including decarbonising the economy faster than any other G7 nation and committing legally to net zero emissions. The Environment Bill aims to mitigate the impact of flooding by restoring habitats and planting trees. The planning system must account for flood risk; local authorities should apply for Bellwin scheme funding as soon as possible. Flood defences will receive £4 billion over five years, and match funding from various sources has maximised impact. Flood Re improves insurance access but is being reviewed independently after concerns in South Yorkshire.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Requests the Secretary of State to ensure local authorities clear drains and not pave over green fields, as this leads to severe storm damage such as that caused by Storm Ciara.
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Expresses condolences for those affected by the recent severe weather and asks what steps will be taken to improve transport network resilience, suggesting engagement with devolved Administrations is necessary.
Mary Robinson
Lab
Croydon North
Asks how the Department can help local authorities work with flood victims to access resilience funding and apply for Flood Re insurance successfully.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Halifax
Reports ongoing flooding in Calderdale affecting 400 residential properties, businesses, eight schools, two care homes, and two bridges. Requests a meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss recovery measures and access flood grants quickly.
Philip Davies
Con
Shipley
Concerned that residents flooded in 2015 are being affected again by recent flooding, asks for assurances on future flood defence investments.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Asks the Department to work alongside the Welsh Government to ensure essential railway lines in Wales are resilient against climate change impacts.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Pays tribute to Environment Agency staff working diligently during flooding incidents, highlights link between planning system and flood incidence.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Concerned about inadequate Government help for those without insurance three months on from November floods. Requests review of match funding criteria in South Yorkshire.
Gainsborough
Asks the Secretary of State to look closely at a bid for a national flood resilience centre submitted by Humberside fire authority, Hull university and North Lincolnshire Council.
Rachel Reeves
Lab
Leeds West
Kirkstall in my constituency was devastated by floods on Boxing Day 2015, and we were on high alert all day yesterday. Leeds had a close escape but there remains a £23 million gap between the Government's commitment to flood defences and what is needed for future protection.
Theresa Villiers
Con
We have an extensive programme underway; we are committed to protecting many more homes and businesses from flooding. We will consider maintenance funding for drainage boards, local authorities and the EA in the Budget and spending review.
Andrew Percy
Con
Brigg and Goole
My constituency is one of the most flood-prone areas; while we are grateful for hundreds of miles of flood defences and past funding announcements, ongoing maintenance is crucial. I urge the Secretary of State to ensure that maintenance funding is available.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Promises have been broken on issues such as insurance, upper catchment management and resilience in the city itself. I urge the Secretary of State to expedite action and meet me to discuss threats facing my constituents.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Farmers are likely to be badly affected by these latest floods; what assurances can you give that farmers will receive the support they need?
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
The climate emergency causes such extreme weather events. Do the Government have a plan for where millions of trees proposed by them and their party will be planted, and when will it be published?
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
I pay tribute to emergency services, Hawick flood group, volunteers, and agencies for the evacuation of a building that collapsed into the River Teviot during the recent flooding.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Will you agree to extend a statutory duty on flood response to fire and rescue services in England, similar to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
What advice do you have for those who are not covered under the Flood Re scheme and find it difficult to get insurance?
James Daly
Con
16:16:00
Will my right hon. Friend meet me and other relevant agencies to ensure Ramsbottom has a flood defence scheme at the earliest opportunity?
Scott Benton
Con
16:16:00
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the same support package will be offered to householders and businesses affected by flooding again, as it was in 2015?
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Penrith and The Border was hit very hard. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that efforts across the whole Government will be mobilised to support these people as quickly as possible?
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
We have six new flood defence schemes in West Worcestershire but need more. How much of the £4 billion increase in flood defence funding has already been programmed?
North Cotswolds
He raises concerns about houses being built on floodplains, causing problems for both those homes and downstream properties. He calls for the Planning Inspectorate to ensure that satisfactory drainage systems are approved by local authorities when planning decisions are overturned.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
He highlights issues with overflowing drains in urban areas caused not by blockages but by problems downstream in water waste pipes. He urges the Secretary of State to maintain pressure on water companies to properly manage waste water drainage.
Richard Drax
Con
North Norfolk
He expresses sympathy for flood victims and concern about rural communities' vulnerability to flooding from small gullies. He questions who is responsible for ensuring that homes are protected against future flooding risks.
Ruth Edwards
Con
Rushcliffe
She calls for a reconsideration of the support offered to areas repeatedly affected by flooding and suggests better collaboration among agencies involved in flood prevention and response.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
He thanks the Secretary of State for her responsiveness during recent flooding incidents and requests a meeting to address ongoing issues affecting residents since November, particularly focusing on the Environment Agency's role in flood recovery.
Ben Everitt
Con
North Cornwall
He expresses concern about his constituency’s vulnerability to both flooding and overzealous development ambitions. He seeks assurance that the Government remains committed to protecting an additional 300,000 homes from flood risks.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
He emphasises the dual threat of heavy storms and high tides causing coastal flooding in his constituency. He requests assurances that future plans include funding for building resilience into coastal regions.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
She pays tribute to local authorities, emergency services, and volunteers involved in the clean-up efforts after recent flooding. She suggests using ex-offenders for community payback schemes focusing on dredging and flood prevention.
Nigel Evans
Con
Ribble Valley
He thanks the Secretary of State for her assistance during his inspection tour to assess flood damage in Ribchester and Whalley, expressing gratitude for her support.
Government Response
TaxationEmploymentTransportClimateWalesAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Government Response
Discusses Government’s comprehensive programme to tackle climate change and mitigate flooding impacts. Emphasises the importance of drain clearance by local authorities, maintaining green spaces in planning systems, investing £2.6 billion in flood defences up to 2021, working with devolved Administrations on transport network resilience, encouraging engagement between councils and residents affected by floods for funding access, committing to meet Calderdale representatives to discuss recovery measures, ensuring flood defence projects remain on track, supporting work alongside the Welsh Government to ensure essential railway lines are resilient, paying tribute to Environment Agency staff during flooding incidents, reviewing match funding criteria in South Yorkshire, engaging with DEFRA officials regarding a bid for a national flood resilience centre. We have an extensive programme underway; we are committed to protecting many more homes and businesses from flooding. Maintenance is crucial for existing flood defences, and this will be considered in the Budget and spending review. The Minister acknowledges concerns about flood management, emphasising the importance of ensuring that the planning system properly considers flood risk. She commits to engaging with relevant departments and agencies to improve resilience against flooding, including increased investment in flood defences.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.