Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to Government delays in implementing rules to prevent new developments making flooding worse, said:

“The Government needs to get on with ensuring that any new homes built have effective measures in place to manage flood risk.

“Three years after Labour brought in the Floods and Water Management Act, it’s ridiculous that Ministers have allowed this to drag on for so long. Yet it is hardly surprising when Owen Paterson has removed flood protection from his Department’s list of priorities and refuses to endorse the Prime Minister’s view that climate change is contributing to an increase in extreme weather.”