Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

“David Cameron has finally admitted that he made the wrong decisions on flood protection funding. Even with the funding that has been restored today, less money will be available for flood protection this year than when the Government was elected in 2010. No matter which way Ministers spin the figures, the truth is that they didn’t take the threat of flooding seriously and were caught asleep on the job by the recent severe weather.

“The Government was also wrong to axe regular progress reports on implementing the recommendations of the Pitt Review, which Labour established after the 2007 floods. Ministers published what they described as a final progress report in January 2012, despite 46 recommendations not having been implemented in full. Some specific recommendations, such as establishing a Cabinet Committee on improving the country’s ability to deal with flooding, were wrongly rejected altogether. The Prime Minister should reinstate regular reports on implementing the Pitt Review conclusions, with a first update presented to parliament by the end of this month.”