Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Thursday 6th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Richard Benyon]

One of the reforms that we are seeking to introduce in the draft Water Bill is about bringing innovation into the sector. There are fantastic new technologies that can tackle precisely the sort of things the hon. Gentleman talks about, and the Bill will allow such schemes to be introduced in a cost-effective way.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the effect of partnership funding on the provision of flood defences.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson)]

Partnership funding is enabling more flood and coastal schemes to go ahead and giving local people more choice in how their community is protected. The approach has brought forward £72 million of external funding so far. This is likely to increase further, compared with the £13 million during the previous period. Early indications suggest that up to a third more schemes will go ahead in the coming years than if the previous funding system had remained.

[Graham Evans]

Has the Department been liaising with insurance companies to help individuals affected by the most recent floods, such as the businesses that were affected in Northwich?

[Mr Paterson]

I enjoyed my visit to Northwich and pay tribute to all who have worked so hard to put the town straight after a difficult time in the floods. We are working with a range of agencies, including the insurance industry, to ensure that floods cause as little disruption to people’s lives as possible.