Real help to protect Hull people from floods

The Labour Government has today published new plans to help protect Hull and other local communities from flooding.

Around 43,000 people have been protected thanks to new flood protection schemes since the terrible floods of 2007. Published today, the Draft Floods and Water Bill will help make those defences more effective by making sure that:

everyone knows what their job is in a flood

members of the public have the information they need

critical infrastructure has the protection it needs

the plans to deal with the aftermath of flooding are up to scratch

the laws on dealing with flooding are fit for the job

However, this good news for Hull is under threat from Tory plans that could mean drastic cuts, just when climate change means we will need to be more prepared for extremes like floods and droughts than ever before.

Welcoming the Draft Bill, Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "Everyone remembers the June 2007 floods and how devastating they were for many Hull people.

"That's why I am pleased that the Government is acting to invest extra money in improving flood defences on top of what has already been done. The plans published today should help tackle flooding more effectively and make sure that local people have the information they need, when they need it.

"This is real help that will protect people from flooding more effectively in the future. That is why I am also so concerned to hear that the Conservatives have not committed to match Labour's investment in flood defences. It is time they were clear about what their cuts could mean for Hull people."

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "The terrible effects of the 2007 floods are still fresh in many minds, and climate change will only increase the threat of extreme weather in the future.

"We can't stop the rain falling from the sky, or make it rain during droughts, but we can be better prepared. That's why we are publishing this draft Bill, which will help us better protect the public and by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in flood risk management."