Floor Risk Management Inner Cities 2021-12-09
2021-12-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the adequacy of flood risk management in his constituency, highlighting a near-flooding incident last year where properties were saved by only 2 cm.
What recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the adequacy of flood risk management in inner cities? In my constituency, we narrowly averted a disastrous flooding incident this time last year when the Mersey flooded. What is the Department's assessment of the state of readiness for flood defences and services as winter approaches?
I regularly meet the chair of the Environment Agency to discuss flood risk management. We have doubled our investment in flood and coastal erosion defence to £5.2 billion by 2027, protecting 336,000 properties. The Department stands ready for any winter storm events with a good team responding to flood risks.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment of readiness in inner cities and detailed measures for the coming peak season were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights a near-flooding incident in his constituency last year and expresses concerns about the general state of readiness for flood defences as winter approaches.
What is the Department's assessment of the state of readiness in general of flood defences and flood response services as we go into the peak winter storm season? We narrowly averted a disastrous flooding incident this time last year when the Mersey flooded. What measures are being taken to prepare for increased risk?
I discussed this issue with the Environment Agency board yesterday. Being alert to flood risk is at the top of our priorities. I visited the flood response centre in Bristol earlier in autumn, and we stand ready for winter storms.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures and detailed readiness assessment were not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the decline in national flood defence spending since 2015 and its impact on protecting properties during increased storm events.
On Boxing day 2015, many town and city centres were devastated by floods. Spending on national flood defences has dropped by 10% from 2015 levels. With more frequent storms, how will the Minister defend residential and business properties with adequate climate adaptation this winter?
We have made available £5.2 billion for flood defences over the next few years, and we are working with communities on property resilience, identifying improvements and making grants available for doors to be replaced after floods.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to defend against increased storm events were not detailed
Response accuracy