Analysis: More mixed messages on flood defences

BUSINESS Ministers Anna Soubry today joined David Cameron, Greg Clark and Liz Truss in the list of Government figures to visit the region to see the damage caused by the floods in addition to the work done by Scarborough MP and Transport Minister Robert Goodwill in his role as regional flood envoy.

All have been clear about the help currently on offer to help businesses and residents recover but the messages on the future of flood defences have been mixed to say the least.

In the last week alone, Mr Goodwill said he was prepared to make the case to the Treasury for more cash for flood defences where a case could be made.

Days later the Environment Secretary told MPs and councillors lobbying for improvements to Leeds’s flood defences that budgets were set until 2022.

Today, presented with the case for a £27 million package of measures to reduce the flood risk in the Calder Valley which was last hit three years ago, Business Minister Anna Soubry suggested the area might be a special case for help.

Until the Government is clear how the lessons learned from the Boxing Day floods will shape flood defence decisions, or indeed confirms that nothing will change, businesses and residents in flood hit areas have no alternative but to believe ministers are making policy on the hoof.

Minister pressed on Calder Valley flood defences