Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, has today announced the areas that he will allocate initial funding to, in light of Sir Michael Pitt’s final report into the summer floods. In response to the report Hilary Benn said: “I welcome Sir Michael’s report and the direction it sets. I will deliver a detailed response on behalf of Government that includes a prioritised action plan in the autumn. Before this, I am today taking action to help the country be better prepared to deal with the impacts of flooding. Earlier this year I outlined that at least £34.5 million of the £2.15 billion total Government flood and coastal erosion spend over the next three years would be allocated to implement the final recommendations of Sir Michael Pitt’s report. Today I can announce that part of this funding will be used to take forward work in several key areas including: assisting the development of surface water management plans in high priority areas, improving reservoir safety and an initial contribution to a major national floods exercise to ensure we are better prepared for the future.”

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25 June 2008
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)