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Flood Preparedness: Norfolk
20 November 2024
Lead MP
Steffan Aquarone
North Norfolk
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Emma Hardy
Tags
NHSTaxationClimate
Word Count: 9992
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Steffan Aquarone raised concerns about flood preparedness: norfolk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should consider changing the funding arrangement to allow agencies to set longer-term budgets for strategic flood-alleviation projects. There is a need for legislation to ensure that Norfolk County Council has the necessary money to implement its own recommendations on flood prevention. The Minister should review the duty of insurers in supporting residents to prevent future flooding.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Norfolk faces significant flooding challenges due to its low-lying landscape and changing climate. The funding system is inadequate, with agencies receiving funding settlements rarely more than one year ahead. Residents have experienced severe impacts, including business losses and property damage. Farmers face inheritance tax changes and planning barriers that hinder flood prevention efforts. A resident has lost £100,000 worth of potatoes due to flooding but received no payout under DEFRA criteria.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Highlighting the impact of flooding in Norfolk and Suffolk, Adrian Ramsay advocated for nature-based solutions such as restoring floodplains, planting trees, creating ponds, and installing leaky dams to manage rainwater. He called for increased DEFRA funding from £25 million to address these issues at scale.
Calum Miller
Lib Dem
Bicester and Woodstock
My constituency is criss-crossed by rivers, and residents suffered an inundation due to a month's rainfall in one day. He highlighted the lack of co-ordination between agencies responsible for flood prevention and underfunding by the previous Conservative Government affecting DEFRA and local planning authorities.
Cameron Thomas
Lib Dem
Tewkesbury
Cameron Thomas intervened to ask that the Government's national planning policy framework account for areas prone to flooding, advocating for undeveloped floodplains.
Charlotte Cane
Lib Dem
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
She highlighted the ongoing struggles with flooding in Norfolk due to its low-lying landscapes, extensive waterways, and the impacts of climate change. She pointed out systemic issues such as limited funding for agencies and fragmented approach to flood management, calling for multi-year budgets for flood prevention efforts and closer coordination between responsible bodies. Charlotte also raised concerns about farmers struggling to access flood relief funds due to confusing criteria and the significant mental health impact on residents and workers involved in flood management.
David Chadwick
Lib Dem
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Acknowledged excellent examples provided by my hon. Friend, including the Netherlands' expertise in water management, highlighted the need for improved land upstream management such as peatland restoration, heathlands conservation, and native woodland preservation.
George Freeman
Con
Mid Norfolk
The Member for Mid Norfolk highlighted the increasing flooding in inland areas of Norfolk and the need for a summit to address responsibilities among organisations. He cited climate change, housing expansion, unclear riparian rights, reduced funding for internal drainage boards, lack of monitoring data, and practical issues like silted-up culverts as contributing factors. The MP called for clearer responsibilities, better funding, liability measures on house builders, and improved data monitoring.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
James Wild discussed the significant flood challenges faced in North West Norfolk, emphasizing the need for better coordination and investment in improving pumping station capacity. He highlighted the importance of local knowledge and welfare support during floods and advocated for holding the line on coastal defences. He intervened with a brief comment: 'Multiple!'
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate, praised the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance under Henry Cator's directorship, and emphasised the importance of strategic dredging in the Norfolk broads.
Jessica Asato
Lab
Lowestoft
Jessica Asato highlighted that Lowestoft, her constituency, lacks adequate flood protection measures and was the only coastal town without formal tidal flood defences prior to last year. She criticised the Conservative Government for delaying a funding decision for a £100 million project that would have protected 1,500 residential properties and 800 businesses, and instead abandoned the plans. Asato emphasised the economic impact of this decision on property development and the area's potential growth, urging the Minister to review the current flooding funding formula.
Jessica Brown-Fuller
Lib Dem
Chichester
She raised concerns about new homes built since 2009 being excluded from the Flood Re insurance scheme, leaving many without affordable or any insurance. She questioned whether unlocking house building would mean more construction on flood plains.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
He praised the joined-up approach to flood prevention and mentioned the importance of mental health support for victims. He highlighted the previous Conservative Government's investment in flood defences, including £2.6 billion between 2015 and 2021 which protected 314,000 homes. Hudson urged the current government to address the impact on farmers and mental health consequences of flooding.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Congratulated my hon. Friend on securing this debate, cited Environment Agency data showing 2,692 properties at risk of flooding in her constituency due to the £34 million deficit in the maintenance budget.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Flooding is a significant concern in Norfolk, with local councils under-resourced and struggling to respond to increasing flood risks. The Member highlighted the funding challenges faced by King's Lynn and West Norfolk borough council and welcomed additional funding for internal drainage boards. He also praised community efforts like Welney Flood Watch but stressed that more must be done beyond volunteer initiatives. Terry Jermy emphasized the moral obligation to protect the environment from worsening flooding due to climate change, citing the severe impacts seen in Valencia recently.
Government Response
Emma Hardy
Government Response
Thanked all participants for their contributions, highlighting the importance of tackling flooding. Mentioned mental health impacts post-flooding and welcomed a new Opposition spokesperson to his role. Discussed plans to make maintenance sexy by updating planning rules and developing benefits tools for natural flood management. Announced upcoming maps for future flood risk including surface water flooding due to climate change. Reassured colleagues about funding with £2.4 billion investment over two years, including funds for internal drainage boards (£50 million) and farmers (£60 million). Emphasized the importance of volunteers and local area directors from the Environment Agency for better communication during floods.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.