Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, responding to the publication of ‘Strategic flood risk management’ by the National Audit Office, said:

“David Cameron promised that ‘money was no object’ when it came to flooding but this report makes clear that spending on flood defences is down and that the Government has no plan for dealing with flooding caused by climate change. David Cameron’s climate failure will put an extra 80,000 more properties at risk from flooding in the next parliament.

“Ignoring the evidence on climate change has led to the Government making the wrong choices. It has taken a short-term approach when a long-term one is needed.

“The next Labour Government will re-prioritise long-term preventative spending that will reduce flood risk, and establish an independent National Infrastructure Commission to identify the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs, including flood defences.”