‘Farmland worth defending from floods’ - MPs

MPs have recommended Ministers revise the formula used to decide where money is spent on flood defences to put greater value on agricultural land.

They warn maintenance of flood defences is at a “bare minimum” and say the drive to cut Government spending should not come at the expense of protecting communities.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report published today follows last winter’s floods when the Government faced criticism for not spending more on dredging rivers.

It concludes that dredging can play a role in preventing flooding but it is not an “all purpose solution”.

Committee chairman Anne McIntosh, the MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “We have repeatedly called on the Government to increase revenue funding so that necessary dredging and watercourse maintenance can be carried out to minimise flood risk, yet funding for maintenance remains at a bare minimum.

“Ministers must take action now to avoid a repeat of the devastation caused by the winter floods.”

The report describes agriculture as a “major industry” and expresses concern the Government’s flood spending formula does not recognise the value of farmland.

It also calls for greater use of internal drainage boards (IDBs) to manage local watercourses.

Dorothy Fairburn, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association, said: “Farmers and landowners have the knowledge and ability to maintain their own flood defences but the Government must act to cut the layers of red tape that are stopping them from providing local solutions for flood defence and water level management.”

The report welcomes extra money for flood measures announced by Ministers this year but said a “large proportion” of the cash had actually just been moved from one part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs budget to another.

Shadow Environment Secretary Maria Eagle said: “In February David Cameron said ‘money was no object’ when it came to flood defence funding yet today the Select Committee says that the funding the Government describe as additional is actually only re-allocated. David Cameron’s ‘promise’ has predictably proved totally false.”

The MPs report calls for clear plans to address the backlog of dredging and maintenance of water courses and flood defences.

Floods Minister Dan Rogerson said the Government had promised record flood investment until 2021, is giving more power to IDBs and is increasing “partnership funding” for schemes.

“We are spending £3.2 billion over the course of this parliament on flood management and protection from coastal erosion. That is more than ever before.”