The Minister acknowledged the severity of flooding issues and thanked Alicia Kearns for raising them. She highlighted ongoing work with internal drainage boards, emergency services, local authorities, and others to improve flood resilience. The Government has invested heavily in flood defences, including £1.4 billion in 2026-27 to protect homes and businesses across the UK. This includes over £5 million for debris screens and almost £260 million for managing EA assets damaged by recent storms. The Minister also mentioned a new hydraulic model for catchments in Rutland's area, aiming to enhance flood risk management. She emphasised the importance of natural flood management solutions and expressed willingness to engage with local councillors on section 19 reports. However, she referred questions about council tax adjustments to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.