Contributions
1,165 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFloodingWithin the next two months.24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend’s constituency was the first hit, and one of the hardest hit, in this most recent bout of events, and I am of course willing to meet her. I am aware there is a…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingAs I said in my statement, we are reviewing Flood Re to check that it is fit for purpose.24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy right hon. Friend has made an important point. Under the planning system, the Environment Agency is a statutory consultee for a very good reason, and local authorities should…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingI shall be more than happy to look at the specific issue that my hon. Friend has raised.24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend raises a rather tragic case. My officials have already spoken to the RSPCA, which is investigating the circumstances of this particular case and, as he pointed out,…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingAs I said earlier, the Secretary of State for Wales met the First Minister this morning to discuss some of these issues. As the hon. Gentleman will know, when it comes to funding…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingDemountable defences, which can be temporarily placed alongside key rivers such as the Severn, have played an important role, but, as my right hon. Friend says, we are not out of…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend makes an important point, but a lot of local authorities will say that they need access to that money, or at least to know that they will be able to reclaim some of…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingThere are a number of examples of projects that use lagoons to manage surplus water during times of flooding, including one at Salford. Either I or another ministerial colleague…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingI should be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss his concerns further. Last week many flood alerts were in place, including severe flood alerts. The standard approach is that…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingI should be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss those issues. During my visit to York, I realised how complicated the position relating to such schemes can be. Some people…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy right hon. Friend and I were involved together in the 2014 floods—I remember that well and the incidents we had in Somerset. It is the case that we absolutely want to hold…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingThere is not a specific 1:8 requirement for flooding schemes—it is just that, overall, that is the average return on flood schemes. When we assess where we are going to direct…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend raised this issue with me last week. I would be more than happy to meet him and representatives from his local authority to discuss their proposal.24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingWe are all conscious of the terrible history related to this issue. I can confirm that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales met the First Minister this morning…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend makes an important point. The Severn has been the most affected water catchment in this most recent event. The demountable barriers at many places along the Severn…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingThe Government obviously focus predominately on supporting local authorities with immediate costs through the Bellwin scheme but, as I said in my statement, we also recognise the…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingI am more than happy to join my hon. Friend in commending the Environment Agency staff, local authority staff and our emergency services, including the fire brigade and the…24 Feb 2020HANSARDFloodingMy hon. Friend, who represents a coastal community, highlights an important issue. It is important to recognise that it is not just fluvial flooding that is a threat, and that…24 Feb 2020