Hull MP condemns 'Flood Tax' plan

Diana Johnson MP has attacked Coalition Government plans for a new tax on householders and businesses in areas of the greatest flooding risk.

Speaking in a Commons adjournment debate yesterday evening (13 July) on issues arising from the June 2007 Hull floods, the Hull North MP challenged the Government on media reports that they are planning to privatise the UK's flood defence network, and will allow a new charge to be levied, possibly on Council Tax or water rates, from householders and businesses in areas that need to have flood defences improved.

Responding for the Government, Flood Minister Richard Benyon MP denied the privatisation plans. However, the Minister confirmed that the Government would not guarantee the same level of flood protection funding as the previous Labour Government; and that to compensate for cuts in this investment the Government was looking at alternative ways of raising revenue from communities most in danger of flooding.

In the Commons debate Mr Benyon said: "We have no plans to privatise flood defences, contrary to what was reported in the press today. That is not to say that we will not be looking, where appropriate, for contributions from beneficiaries to new schemes and other sorts of levy-funded operations."

Later in his speech, speaking on the investment programme for flood defences, Mr Benyon added: "Of course, I cannot guarantee that every single scheme will continue - I would not give that impression at a time when we are going through such a difficult process - but I can assure the hon. Lady that flood resilience is an absolute priority.

"This Government want to continue in the spirit of the last Government, and to ensure that the schemes that are needed are there. We want to ensure that we are using every possible means to access funds -to use local resources and, when possible, levy funding."

In the debate, Diana Johnson also raised the continuing problems that Hull North constituents are having with home insurance, Yorkshire Water's improvements to local water pumping facilities and the future of the previous Labour Government's small grant scheme to help householders fund measures to make their homes more resilient against flooding.

The Hull North MP also made it clear that sustained investment in flood protection measures, to keep homes and businesses safe from the disastrous consequences of flooding that Hull saw in June 2007, was also essential for the insurance and construction industries.

Speaking after the debate Diana Johnson MP said: "People in areas vulnerable to flooding, many of which also have the highest levels of deprivation, will be appalled that the Coalition Government is planning to clobber them with a Flood Tax. This comes on top of other regressive tax increases, such as the VAT hike.

"The response that I received from the Minister confirmed that local people and businesses will be making up for Coalition cuts to the previous Government's programme of flood defence investment. Once again, many of the least advantaged people will be paying for a deficit caused by the greed of bankers and speculators.

"Labour will fight this unfair Flood Tax all the way."

The Hull North MP will be tabling a Commons Early Day Motion opposing plans for a Flood Tax.

Ends