What is the government doing about flooding in England?

Emergency workers walk through floodwater in Carlisle, Cumbria Credit: PA

As thousands of homes in northern England and Scotland are hit by severe flooding after Storm Desmond, once again the adequacy of the UK's flood defences has come under the spotlight.

In Cumbria, there has been "unprecedented" flooding after a record 341.4mm of rain fell in just 24 hours. This is despite a multi-million pound investment in the county's flood defences in recent years.

Adrian Holme, from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said the defences "haven't been breached, they have been over-topped".

Here are some facts about flood defence spending in England.

How much is the Government spending?

Spending on flood defences in England is due to fall by 14% this year, figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reveal.

It is the biggest year-on-year fall since 2011/2012.

How much has been spent in Cumbria?

Since the devastating floods of 2005 and 2009, millions of pounds have been invested in Cumbria.

There has been widespread flooding in Cumbria in recent days. Credit: Environment Agency

One of the worse affected areas in the latest flooding has been Carlisle where as many as 3,500 homes may have been flooded.

An elderly woman is rescued by members of the armed forces in Carlisle. C Credit: PA

The Environment Agency in Cumbria told ITV News that the following amounts have also been spent on defences in several other flood-hit areas.

  • Cockermouth, £4.5m

  • Penrith, 5.6m

  • Keswick, £6m

The location of flood defences throughout Cumbria are outlined in pink. Credit: Environment Agency

However despite these measures rising river levels breached flood defences in High Hill, Keswick at the weekend.

Average flood damage costs in England

It has been estimated that maintaining existing levels of flood defence would require spending to increase to over £1 billion per year by 2035, according to a science and environment briefing note on the parliamentary website.

What is the government planning to do now?

The Government are to "look again" at current and planned flood schemes in the wake of Storm Desmond.

Labour has accused David Cameron of breaking his promises after he vowed that there will be "no penny pinching" on flood protection after severe flooding in February 2014.

Speaking during a visit to Cumbria on Monday, the Prime Minister said the existing multi-million pound defences "weren't enough" and the Environment Agency will look at what more could be done.