Martin Vickers has questioned the Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, on the timing of the government's response to the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy. Ms Truss responded, announcing the government would publish its response in July.
The Government has already awarded £80 million for Humber flood defences; the Strategy's report from Lincolnshire councils and others would involve £1.28 billion of investment to provide a level of protection to 2057.
Martin asked:
"I thank my right hon. Friend for that. She will be aware of local authorities’ proposals to strengthen defences around the Humber estuary, and the autumn statement allocated £80 million for initial expenditure. Will she update us on when her officials will have made a full assessment of the proposals and when she will be able to make an announcement?"
The Environment Secretary responded:
"I was delighted that in December we could announce £80 million for schemes on the Humber estuary, which will improve protection for more than 50,000 households. We are examining the ambitious proposals put forward by my hon. Friend, his colleagues and local authorities in the area, and we will publish the results in July."
The Environment Secretary also confirmed that the Government's six-year flood defence programme, announced in December, includes more than 1,400 projects across the country. The £2.3 billion investment is a real-terms increase in capital spending and will mean that 300,000 homes are better protected.