Oral Answers to Questions

Craig Tracey Excerpts

Thursday 14th March 2024 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to help protect rural communities in flood-risk areas.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Barclay)]

Around 45% of the Government’s £5.2 billion investment in flood protection is targeted at rural communities, and the Minister for Water is allocating £75 million of funding specifically to internal drainage boards, which, again, serve many rural constituencies.

[Craig Tracey]

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. In recent months, parts of North Warwickshire and Bedworth, including Austrey, Polesworth and the Woodlands, have seen significant and unprecedented flooding, which has caused real damage to houses and businesses and upheaval for local residents. Will the Secretary of State set out what other steps can be taken to prevent this from happening and to stop these situations becoming the norm?

[Steve Barclay]

My hon. Friend has been a real constituency champion in highlighting some of the flooding issues that have occurred in North Warwickshire and Bedworth. Of the Environment Agency investment over six years, £24 million is going specifically into protecting 800 properties, and I know we will have further discussions on the work that he is doing locally to tackle flooding.