Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Flood Protection Funding

Thursday 19 December 2024 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Public consultation on flood defence funding formula will take place in the new year
  • 60 million is being released via the farming recovery fund to support farmers affected by severe weather
  • 4 billion will be invested into flood defences over the next two years

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about inadequate funding for flood protection which has left communities vulnerable to flooding, with recent outages in Southampton.

Question

I am concerned about the reforms made regarding funding for flood protection. What specific changes have been implemented to ensure better support and allocation of funds?

Answer from Emma Hardy

We will have a public consultation in the new year on the formula that allocates flood defence funding. Protecting communities from flooding is a top priority, and later today I will have a winter flood preparedness meeting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reforms or allocations for flood defence funding were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP represents a constituency with many farmers impacted by severe weather last year, seeking updates on funds available through the farming recovery fund.

Question

My constituents are asking for an update on the funding made available via the farming recovery fund to support farmers affected by last year's severe weather. Can you provide details on the amount and distribution of this funding?

Answer from Emma Hardy

We are releasing £60 million via the farming recovery fund to support farmers impacted by last year's severe weather—£10 million more than was planned by the previous Government—and £55.7 million has been paid out to over 12,700 farm businesses.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Climate Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP raises the issue of climate change denial in Parliament while communities face severe flooding consequences, highlighting previous government's neglect of flood defence maintenance.

Question

While some MPs deny climate change, people are suffering from increased floods. The last Government left our flood defences in a poor state. Does the Minister agree this needs urgent national priority?

Answer from Emma Hardy

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The previous Government left flood defences in a state of disrepair—the worst state on record—leaving 60,000 homes exposed. That is why this Government will invest £2.4 billion into defences over the next two years.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Andrew Snowden Con Fylde
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP addresses the issue of developers failing to construct adequate flood defences or disclose risks, leaving residents and councils powerless.

Question

In Fylde, new housing developments have been built in flood-prone areas without proper mitigation measures. What plans does the Minister have to empower councils and residents against non-compliant developers?

Answer from Emma Hardy

I share the hon. Gentleman's upset about the rules on housing and flooding not being implemented by the previous Government. We need more sustainable urban drainage in more developments, and it is important that it is built into planning applications to begin with. If he would like to contact me, I can look into the matter in more detail for him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or actions against non-compliant developers were not detailed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP highlights the ongoing flooding issues in Huntingdon and asks about funding availability for constructing additional retention ponds.

Question

Flooding continues to impact many constituents in Huntingdon, and local efforts like the recently opened alderman's retention pond at Sallows farm have been successful. What Government funding is available for further such measures?

Answer from Emma Hardy

I thank all flood action groups around the country for doing incredible work for their communities. We are investing £2.4 billion over the next couple of years. I hope to be able to give more detail in the new year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding details or timelines were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email