Government still not realising threat of flooding

4.56.08pm GMT Mon 19th Nov 2007

Liz Leffman, prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Meon Valley, believes the Government is still not taking the threat of future flooding seriously enough following publication of a report into this summer's flooding.

In July, the Prime Minister announced an increase in funding for flood prevention from £600 million to £800 million - yet this money will not be available until 2010/11, meaning a repeat of the summer devastation is possible.

Today, the Local Government Association responded to the Pitt Review with a submission that the Government must bring forward its timetable for investment in flood defences or risk more misery for many people across the country.

Liz said: "I have mentioned before that many areas of Meon Valley are susceptible to flooding and it is of great concern to me that the Government is not acting in a very efficient manner in terms of taking preventative measures.

"It is an absolute priority that drainage capacity and infrastructure in our villages here are properly assessed and invested in, yet there is still no agency tasked with sole responsibility for flooding.

"The flood defence budget is well below what is should be and the LGA is right to call for the budget increase to be brought forward immediately.

"If action is not taken now, many communities could be faced with unnecessary torment all because of a lack of leadership and management on the Government's behalf."