Spending cuts must not hit flood affected areas, say MPs

Government spending cuts must not be allowed to affect vital flood defence work, MPs have warned. Parts of Lancashire and Cumbria were devastated earlier this month following heavy rainfall.

The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said that with more than 5.5 million properties in England and Wales at risk of flooding, it was essential that spending on defences was prioritised.

But with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) facing cuts of 15% in day-to-day spending over the next four years, the committee expressed concern that such programmes could lose out.

The committee welcomed the Government's commitment to a £2.3 billion six-year investment programme for England intended to fund 1,400 flood and coastal erosion defence schemes.

Defra estimates it will reduce risk of flooding for 300,000 households while averting an estimated £30 billion in economic damage.

However, the committee expressed concern that while the plan relied upon raising £600 million from "external contributions", so far it had brought in just £250 million, with just £61 million from the private sector.