MPs to quiz Environment Agency chiefs over flooding

  • Politics

Environment Agency boss Sir Philip Dilley is to be quizzed by MPs about recent flooding.

Sir Philip came under fire for holidaying in Barbados over Christmas as many homes and businesses in the UK battled the floods caused by storms battering the country.

He will join chief executive Sir James Bevan and deputy chief executive David Rooke before the parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

The flooding has prompted renewed debate over funding for flood defences, the response by officials and the growing risk of extreme weather in the face of climate change.

ork's Foss Barrier failed after the pump room flooded Credit: PA

MPs on the committee will also hear evidence from local representatives from Cumbria, parts of which were swamped by rising waters over the Christmas period and at the start of December.

Parts of Cumbria were badly hit during December Credit: PA

Weather warnings remain in place in the north east and south east of England and parts of Scotland for heavy rain.

Falling on already saturated ground, the rain could cause more floods and disruption, compounding the misery for flood-affected communities.