Figures on how flood spending will
increase between 2008 and 2011 were announced today by
Environment Secretary .
Mr Benn announced in July that spending on
flood management would increase from #600m in 2006/7 to #800m by
2010/11.
Today he said annual budgets would rise to a
minimum of #650m in 2008/09, and a minimum of #700m in 2009/10,
reaching #800m by 2010/11.
said:
"I made a commitment to Parliament to provide
the breakdown of our increased flood budget as part of the
Comprehensive Spending Review announcement.
"The profile outlined today shows the minimum
we will spend in each of the coming years. It is too early to
determine whether this will be the final allocation, or whether
it will be possible to go beyond these figures, but I won't rule
that out. I'm providing this outline now because it's important
that the different bodies with flood management roles, including
insurers, local authorities and the Environment Agency, can start
to plan with confidence.
"I expect the independent lessons learned
inquiry into this summer's floods, chaired by Sir Michael Pitt,
to report at the end of this year. The information that comes out
of that review will be taken into account when we determine the
final allocation."
Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment
Agency, said
"We welcome the increase in funding for flood
risk management, as announced by the Government today in its
Comprehensive Spending Review - it is moving in the right
direction.
"We will never be able to protect everyone
against all floods but we can progress now with confidence to
deliver more schemes to protect people and property, and plan
future schemes over the next three years.
"This welcome increase is an important step
towards the long-term level of #1bn annual investment identified
by the 'Foresight' study as being needed to stabilise flood risk
in a changing climate."
