Flooding

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Tuesday 5th January 2016

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee, and, as I mentioned earlier, the NPPF makes it clear that inappropriate development on flood plains should be avoided, but ultimately it is a matter for the local authority.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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In October 2015, the Secretary of State turned down the £1.2 billion Humber tidal defence scheme. In the light of what has happened and the torrential rain, will she review that decision? Members from all areas of the Humber recognised that the area needed that scheme.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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We are investing £80 million in defences for the Humber. I know there are further ongoing discussions with local MPs. We have to ensure that through our £2.3 billion budget we are fair to people across the country. There is a formula for making determinations, and one thing we shall look at in the national resilience review is how that formula works and how funding is allocated. Until then, we have to make sure that we are fair using the existing formula.