Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Barclay and Sarah Dyke

Thursday 1st February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Dyke (Somerton and Frome) (LD)]

10. What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Environment Agency funding levels in the context of recent storms.

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

The Environment Agency’s budget this year is £1.96 billion, so around £2 billion, which is an increase of more than £700 million since 2015. We closely monitor the quantum and how we ensure we get value for money.

[Sarah Dyke]

Following the 2014 flooding, the current Foreign Secretary—the then Prime Minister—stated that money was no object as he agreed a £100 million plan to protect the Somerset levels. Ten years on, we are experiencing devastating floods with increased regularity. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to protect homes in Somerset from flooding and to ensure that floodwater is efficiently and effectively pumped away from farmland?

[Steve Barclay]

The hon. Lady raises an extremely important point. Flooding is devastating to homeowners, businesses and farmers. That is why in her part of the country we set up the Somerset Rivers Authority partnership and secured an extra £80 million of targeted funding for Somerset. That targeted action is enabling the area to be more resilient, but there is further work to do.