Environment Agency to cut staff by 1,550
The Environment Agency has said it is planning to cut the number of staff from 11,250 to around 9,700 by October, leading to fears that it will not be able to cope with serious flooding.
More money 'being spent on flooding than ever before'
Responding to reports the Environment Agency is to shed 15% of its workforce to save money, a spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said more money is being spent on tackling the risk of flooding than ever before.
They said: "We're currently spending over £2.3 billion on tackling the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. Together with contributions from other partners, this is more money than ever before.
"We'll also be making record levels of capital investment and will be spending over £400 million by 2020/21.
"In addition we have provided the Environment Agency with an above-inflation increase of £5 million on their floods maintenance work in 2015/16.
"Departments and agencies across government are having to make choices about their budgets and the Environment Agency is making their own choices about how best to use their resources."
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