Labour calls for independent review into flooding devastation

MPs will be asked to support the call as they debate the floods’ impact on communities and businesses as part of Labour’s opposition day.

Labour will say Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been missing in action, and the devastation across the country follows years of Tory cuts.

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Luke Pollard said: “Boris Johnson has proved himself to be a part-time Prime Minister who is unwilling to help communities and businesses that have suffered terribly because of the floods.

“There needs to be an independent review into the government’s woefully slow response to help flood-hit communities. We need to know how many homes and businesses have been affected, and what additional funding will be made available to local authorities and emergency services.

“Labour will continue to support communities devastated by the floods and hold the government to account for its inaction.”

But a Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesman said: “We fully understand how flooding has had a terrible impact on communities. Our investment, flood defences and Environment Agency teams on the ground have protected over 127,000 homes and business from the devastating impacts of flooding this winter.

“We know climate change means extreme weather events like this are more likely, which is why we are investing record amounts to help protect communities from the threat of flooding.

“But as is the case after any major incident, we will look very carefully at what has happened to see how we can improve protection of homes and businesses in the future.”