Dr Neil Hudson MP urged Labour to act in the public interest following the grim fallout of Storm Darragh, during an Urgent Question in Parliament today (10/12/24).
Speaking on behalf of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition as Shadow DEFRA Minister, Dr Hudson, paid tribute to those who have worked tirelessly to protect people's safety, reconnect power, and get the nation moving again following winds in excess of 90mph which left people stranded without power and even tragically led to the loss of life.
Dr Hudson took to the Despatch Box to urge the new Labour administration, not to relinquish their responsibility to impacted communities and provide long-term funding to protect people from the ravages of increasingly frequent storm events.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“The bravery and selflessness of those on the front line protecting lives and livelihoods cannot be questioned. But, what can be questioned is the new Labour Government's commitment to supporting those fearlessly battling the elements to keep people and property safe.”
“Given the Chancellor is planning to review flood defence funding in the next financial year amid increasingly frequent extreme weather events and the retrograde Family Farm Tax, we cannot falter in Conservative defence of our communities hit by these weather events.”
“I hope we will see some joined up action across Government from Ministers.”
From 2019 to 2027, the Conservative Government committed a record £5.2 billion to bolster flood defences across the country - which itself followed £2.6 billion since 2015 - which included £100 million for communities that have experiences repeated flooding and £25 million for innovative nature-friendly projects to stem flooding.
There is significant concern that funding will continue at current levels given that in the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor wrote: "The government is facing significant funding pressures on flood defences and farm schemes of almost £600 million in 2024-25. While the government is meeting those commitments this year, it is necessary to review these plans from 2025-26 to ensure they are affordable."
Dr Hudson has spoken time and again in Parliament about how the impact of flooding goes far beyond the loss of possessions or damage to property, and is an issue that impacts communities that are deeply dependent on the environment both economically but also as part of their identity.
As such, when sitting on the EFRA Select Committee in the last Parliament, Dr Hudson triggered a report into Rural Mental Health which specifically looked at the impact of shock events such as extreme weather and the lasting toll this takes on mental health.
A transcript of Dr Neil Hudson MP's response for the Opposition in the Chamber:
"Mr Speaker, Storm Darragh has had, and continues to have, terrible impacts across the UK, and our thoughts are very much with the loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in recent days, as well as the people whose homes and businesses have been devastated and those who continue to feel the effects of the storm.
"We must not forget, Mr Speaker, that for at risk communities the mental health consequences can remain long after the storms and floods have abated and the blue lights have left.
"We would like to pay tribute on this side of the House to the emergency services, the Environment Agency, local authorities and volunteer groups for their efforts to help people in challenging and dangerous circumstances.
"The Government needs to focus in the coming hours and days on ensuring that those without power are reconnected quickly and help will be given to those who have been driven out of their homes. The repair and reopening of buildings and schools, as well as the process for insurance claims so that residents can return home as soon as possible.
"What conversations are being had across government to ensure that this all happens? What discussions did the Honourable Lady have with ministerial colleagues across government, the Environment Agency and the Met Office before this latest storm hit?
"The Government's Flood Resilience Task Force was set up to improve flood preparedness. The Flood Resilience Task Force has met once and its next meeting is next year. Should it not be stood up more frequently and meet more regularly?
"The Last Conservative Government, Mr Speaker, committed a record 5.2 billion pounds from 2019 to 2027 to provide significantly improved flooding defences across the country. Will the new Labour Government continue that investment? The Farm Recovery Fund, initiated by the previous Conservative Government to support farmers is vital, but is there new money there now for these recent storms like Bert and Darragh?
"And finally Mr Speaker, can the Government confirm there is an ongoing commitment to the communities hit by these increasingly common extreme weather events?"
