FLOODS AND FLOOD DEFENCE

Early day motion 25, tabled 13 November 2002 by Jonathan Sayeed (Conservative). Signed by 61 members.

That this House notes the findings of the research by the Environment Agency which shows that around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales; notes how the risk of both inland and coastal flooding in these areas will increase as a result of increases in the frequency of extreme weather events and sea levels rising due to climate change; highlights how the autumn of 2000 saw the most extensive floods in England and Wales for over 50 years, with approximately 10,000 properties flooded and the cost of damage around one billion pounds; and calls on the Government to provide the resources needed to tackle the problem in a more strategic and holistic approach to water management and supply by strengthening existing legislation concerning developments on floodplains and promoting small soft solutions, such as ensuring that all new developments incorporate sustainable urban drainage.

Signatures by party: Conservative 48, Labour 6, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 1, Independent Conservative 1, UUP 1.