Flood damage 'could have been prevented'
Using correct water management techniques could have prevented some of the damage from the recent floods, a group of experts has said in an open letter to the prime minister.
Labour government 'would prioritise flood defences'
Investment in flood defences would be a priority for an incoming Labour government, Ed Balls has said in an article calling for ministers to make long-term decisions on the flooding problem.
Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Balls accused the coalition Government of "short-termist salami-slicing" of budgets for flood defences, and said that 300 "shovel-ready" schemes were shelved last year because of lack of funding.
Labour's ongoing "zero-based review" of public spending has made clear that funds should be directed towards preventive work which can save money in the long term, he said.
An incoming Labour government would need to make spending cuts, he said, adding: "But how we make those cuts is vital.
"Our zero-based review of public spending - a root-and-branch review of every pound spent by government from the bottom up - is clear that we must eliminate waste and inefficiencies, but also prioritise preventative spending that can save money in the long term.
"There can be few better examples than investment in flood defences."
-
Three measures that could prevent flooding
ITV News looks at three measures that, if used, could have done to minimise the damage caused by two months of record-breaking rainfall.
-
Officially wettest winter on record
Even before the season is over the Met Office say this has been the wettest winter in over 100 years.