Watered down

CAROLINE Spelman was explicit when she visited Pickering six weeks ago. The market town, repeatedly ruined by floods, deserved to be afforded some protection from future torrents, and that she was making an extra £235,000 available.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Jul 2011, 01:00 BST

What the Environment Secretary could not envisage was the extent to which her good intentions would be sunk by Defra officials who do not appear to share the Minister’s priorities, or her urgency.

This was exposed by Thirsk, Malton and Filey MP Anne McIntosh in Parliament yesterday. Her point was a simple one. It will always be possible for Defra officials to find reasons why schemes cannot go ahead.

What they need to do is find ways of overcoming these difficulties so homes can be protected adequately.

There is another crucial point. Aware of budgetary constraints, Mrs Spelman wants flood-hit areas to contribute towards the cost of preventative schemes. Yet they will be reluctant to do so when Defra – the department concerned – continues to pour so much public money down the plug hole.