Rachael Maskell MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responding to concerns from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, over the Government’s flooding strategy, said:

“The EFRA committee have highlighted many of the same concerns and solutions that Labour has been raising, including the Committee Chair’s feeling that the Government’s Flood Resilience Review offers ‘limited solutions’.

“There is a real urgency required in the Government’s approach to flooding. Last winter Storm Desmond, Frank and Eva in particular, had a devastating impact on families, businesses and communities.

“There is still a lack of confidence in schemes to protect businesses and the £12.5m pledged to temporary flood barriers will not bring the long-term protection required.”