Environment Agency: Flood Defence Expenditure Debate
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Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville
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Environment Agency: Flood Defence Expenditure
Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville Excerpts(5 months ago)
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Lord Douglas-Miller (Con)
The Government continue to invest in flood and coastal defence maintenance, with an extra £22 million per year for the current spending review period. Furthermore, £25 million from the capital programme has been reallocated to maintenance this year. In 2022-23, the Environment Agency spent more than £200 million maintaining flood risk assets across the country. Across the country we have about 90,000 flood risk assets which are checked annually by the Environment Agency.
Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (LD)
My Lords, internal drainage boards provide essential services to areas that are habitually flooded. Currently, they are funded through district council tax. This is already stretching budgets, as IDB levies were increased by 18% last year. The Government have provided £3 million on a short-term basis. A more secure long-term solution is needed. Can the Minister say when this will be forthcoming?
Lord Douglas-Miller (Con)
Just today at the NFU conference, the Prime Minister announced new funding packages available to drainage boards across the country.