Government issues a new flood alert7 February 2012
MPs have warned that flood management plans are inadequate in England, in the face of increasing climate change.
The Government's Public Accounts Committee has published a new report on the future of flood management in England.
It says there's not enough money available, and it's unclear who's responsible for rolling the plans out.
The report found that around 5 million properties are currently at risk of flooding. The annual cost of flood damage is at least £1.1bn, pushing up insurance premiums and making some properties uninsurable.
Flood risk
Friends of the Earth believes MPs are right to call for adequate defences to keep our heads above water.
Climate change is threatening millions of homes next to our rivers and coastlines, so now is not a moment too soon to take the flood threat seriously.
Craig Bennett, Policy & Campaigns Director
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
- Increased Government action to slash climate-change emissions that are causing more extreme weather events.
- An end to senseless planning reforms which could increase the number of homes built on floodplains.
Read more about Friends of the Earth's demands for the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
© Paul Glendell
