Mary Welcomes New Government Plans To Protect Wakefield From Flooding

The Labour Government has today published new plans to help protect local communities like Wakefield from flooding.

Around 43,000 people have been protected thanks to new flood protection schemes since the terrible floods of 2007.

Published today, the Draft Floods and Water Bill will help make those defences more effective by making sure:

• everyone knows what their job is in a flood
• members of the public have the information they need
• critical infrastructure has the protection it needs
• the plans to deal with the aftermath of flooding are up to scratch 
• the laws on dealing with flooding are fit for purpose

But these are under threat from Tory plans that could mean drastic cuts, just when climate change means we will need to be more prepared for extreme events such as floods and droughts than ever before.

Welcoming the Draft Bill, Mary Creagh MP, said: "I have held two meetings with the Environment Agency and local residents about flood defence plans for Wakefield, but it is also important that the national Government plays its part in setting out who is responsible for what.   The 2007 floods were devastating for our area. That's why I'm pleased that the Government has taken quick action to invest extra money in improving flood defences. The plans published today should help tackle flooding more effectively and make sure that local people have the information they need, when they need it. I am concerned that the Conservatives have not committed to match Labour's investment in flood defence. It is time they come clean about what their cuts could mean for Wakefield."

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP for Leeds Central said:  "The terrible effects of the 2007 floods are still fresh in many minds, and climate change will only increase the threat of extreme weather in the future. We can't stop the rain falling from the sky, or make it rain during droughts, but we can be better prepared. That's why we are publishing this draft Bill, which will help us better protect the public and by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in flood risk management."