Defra Minister’s pledge to Yorkshire flooding victims: ‘I’m on your side’ – Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Rebecca Pow, Minister for Flooding, Defra.
Rebecca Pow is the Floods Minister.Rebecca Pow is the Floods Minister.
Rebecca Pow is the Floods Minister.

I READ with interest your editorial (The Yorkshire Post, January 6), calling for there to be a dedicated Minister for flooding and for a Yorkshire-wide summit on the topic.

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As the Floods Minister, I can assure The Yorkshire Post’s readers how seriously we take the issue, which is why in August last year I hosted a flooding summit in the Calder Valley – covered by this newspaper – held a similar virtual event with South Yorkshire leaders in October 2020 and met with MPs and the leader of the City of York Council late last year.

Environment Secretary George Eustice promised a Yorkshire-wide flooding summit during this visit to York in February 2020.Environment Secretary George Eustice promised a Yorkshire-wide flooding summit during this visit to York in February 2020.
Environment Secretary George Eustice promised a Yorkshire-wide flooding summit during this visit to York in February 2020.

Flooding does not recognise county boundaries, which is why we have taken a geographical approach, allowing us to speak directly with affected communities and understand their needs.

This financial year, we are investing over £146m in 150 flood schemes across the four counties in Yorkshire – the highest for any area in the country – and it is consistently a top priority for investment with over half a billion pounds invested since 2015.

We know how devastating flooding can be, which is why we are working hard to better protect thousands more homes and businesses.

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