Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the written answer by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 20 July (HL6513), whether (1) the funding allocated for shovel-ready schemes will include the planned work at Earby and the phase 3 scheme at Wentcliffe Beck, and (2) the planned stakeholder roundtable on flood defence schemes will include representatives from Earby.

The work at Earby (phase 2) will be going ahead subject to full business case approval which the Environment Agency hopes to submit by the end of the year. Additional funding allocated for shovel ready schemes was not required for Earby (phase 2) as it does not have any funding gaps based upon current costs estimates, identified partner contributions and the Government’s updated partnership funding rules.

Wentcliffe Beck (phase 3) was not allocated funding as it will not be ready to start construction by the required deadline. However the Environment Agency continues to progress the development of the scheme.

We are continuing to work on preparations for a Yorkshire roundtable to discuss the response to the November 2019 flooding. The invitation list will depend on the size of event we are able to arrange. Officials were working to identify a date for this before the Covid-19 restrictions came into effect. In the event that we are not able to hold an in-person meeting, we will make alternative arrangements as soon as possible.