Kerry McCarthy MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, said:
“It is desperately sad to see so many people being affected by heavy rains and flooding again this weekend. The emergency services are doing an excellent job and communities are showing a tremendous strength of spirit.

"The most pressing need now is to protect people and their homes and businesses. The Government should spare no efforts in supporting relief work.

"However, it is increasingly clear that so-called ‘unprecedented’ weather events are here to stay. The Government must drop its complacency over the need for climate change adaptation. It must also invest in maintaining flood defences, rather than cutting them as they had planned, as well as look urgently at what else can be done to reduce flood risk in future.”