Oral Answers to Questions

Torsten Bell Excerpts

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Helen Maguire (Epsom and Ewell) (LD)]

4. What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her fiscal policies of recent trends in levels of investment in green infrastructure.

[The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Torsten Bell)]

Too many parts of the country and too many families have felt the devastating effects of flooding in recent months, not least in South Wales and in the hon. Member’s constituency. The Government have committed £2.4 billion over the next two years to increase community flood resilience. Everyone in this House recognises that flooding is a challenge that will be with us for years to come, and we will set out further plans at the spending review.

[Mr Speaker]

Right—oh, go on, Bill Esterson.

[Torsten Bell]

We take very seriously the need to protect communities from flooding and to deliver on our commitments on climate in the years ahead. It is important that we consider both principles and that is what the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are doing.

[Mr Speaker]

Let’s go back to Helen Maguire.

[Helen Maguire]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Recent flooding in Leatherhead left footpaths near essential services such as train stations overflooding with sewage. In Leatherhead, there are no alternative options to divert water. Given the importance of long-term flood preparations, will the Chancellor commit to securing funding for flood defences beyond 2025-26?

[Torsten Bell]

The hon. Member will know that specific flood defence schemes will be considered in the normal way. When it comes to funding beyond 2025-26, those will be decisions on overall levels of funding that are taken in the spending review later this year.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Let us move to Dr Allison Gardner.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr Luke Evans (Hinckley and Bosworth) (Con)]

Get real!

[Torsten Bell]

I think that remark was directed at the hon. Member in a previous life.

We have committed to 100% first year allowances and to maintaining that going forward, but unless we deliver secure energy, generated at home through cheap renewables, there is no energy security to be had in the years ahead.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Minister—welcome to the Front Bench.

[The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Torsten Bell)]

My hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for his constituents, and particularly for those who have suffered in recent weeks, including others across Greater Manchester. As I set out earlier, the Government have put in £2.4 billion to ensure flood resilience over the next two years; as he will be aware, future decisions on flood defence funding will be taken in the spending review in the normal way. I know that he will continue to be a powerful advocate for his constituents.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

Schools in Westmorland have been told that they will have to meet the costs of teacher pay rises next year, at least in part, from existing funds and by making efficiencies. Does the Chancellor not understand that all that is available to schools in my constituency is sacking teachers and merging classes? Will she instead commit to fully funding the teachers’ pay rise and other cost increases, so that our schools can do the job that they are meant to do?