🌊 Flooding

• Flooding Impact: Recent heavy rain, snow, and high winds since December 30, with the worst on January 1, have caused significant flooding across England, especially in the north-west and central regions. New Year’s Eve celebrations were canceled, and many homes, businesses, and transport infrastructures were flooded.

• Ongoing Situation: Flood warnings and alerts were issued, with many rivers reaching record levels. The Environment Agency is particularly concerned about the midlands, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire, where a major incident was declared in Leicestershire.

• Response and Measures: Environment Agency teams have been operating flood basins and defenses. Over 100 families in Cheshire were evacuated due to a major incident, and emergency actions were taken to manage canal breaches and flooding of treatment plants.

• Government Commitment: The Environment Secretary emphasized that flooding is a top priority. The government is investing £2.4 billion over two years to build and maintain flood defenses, and has set up a new flood resilience taskforce to improve coordination and response.

• Support for Affected Areas: Financial support has been provided to affected farmers and internal drainage boards. A review of the flood funding formula is planned to ensure better protection for businesses and rural and coastal communities.

• Community and Volunteer Efforts: There was widespread appreciation for the efforts of emergency services, local authorities, the Environment Agency, and volunteers in supporting affected communities. MPs and their constituents have also been actively involved in local support and recovery efforts.

• Mental Health and Insurance: Concerns about the mental health impact of flooding and the need for quicker insurance claims processing were highlighted. The government is reviewing policies like Flood Re to potentially expand insurance coverage.

• Future Preparedness and Climate Change: The government acknowledges the increasing severity of weather due to climate change and is focusing on climate adaptation measures, including making homes more flood resilient and ensuring new developments do not increase flood risk.

• Infrastructure and Drainage: There were calls for better maintenance of drainage systems and more effective flood warnings. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) are being considered to mitigate urban flooding.

• Local and Regional Issues: Specific concerns were raised about repeated flooding in certain constituencies, the need for local flood schemes, and the impact of flooding on local economies and infrastructure. The government is encouraged to engage more directly with local communities and improve communication during flood events.

The session displays a moderate level of disagreement, primarily centered around calls for more action and funding, but the tone remains generally constructive. The Shadow Minister and various members from across the political spectrum express concerns about the sufficiency of current measures and the need for additional funding and support, especially regarding insurance schemes, building regulations, and local government engagement. However, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Emma Hardy, responds to these concerns with reassurances about existing and planned measures, showing a willingness to listen and address issues without outright dismissing the criticisms. The overall atmosphere is one of collaborative discussion rather than intense conflict, with members frequently expressing thanks for the efforts of those involved in flood response efforts.