Menu
11/07/2012
CCC Warns Of Dangers Of Cutting Flood Defence Budget
Four times as many homes and firms risk flooding in the next 20 years if the UK does not prepare for climate change, a government advisory panel has warned.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) issued the warning while blames the government for cutting funds for flood defences, saying these will be needed more than ever if climate projections prove accurate.
In response the Environment Department said money for flood defences was "being spent more effectively than ever before".
A spokesman added: "The committee has acknowledged the work we have done to reduce flood risk for 182,000 homes over the last three years.
"We are spending more than £2.17bn over four years to protect people from flooding and our successful partnership funding model will draw in around an additional £72m.
"The money for flood defences is being spent more effectively than ever before and we now expect to exceed our target to better protect another 145,000 homes by 2015."
The CCC report comes as findings suggest CO2 emissions are making extreme weather events much more likely. The CCC says the UK government needs to take this threat more seriously.
Some 40,000 new properties have been built in areas of substantial flood risk.
And while the Environment Agency urged a £20m a year increase in flood defence spending to keep up with climate change, funds were in fact cut by 12%.
(H)
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) issued the warning while blames the government for cutting funds for flood defences, saying these will be needed more than ever if climate projections prove accurate.
In response the Environment Department said money for flood defences was "being spent more effectively than ever before".
A spokesman added: "The committee has acknowledged the work we have done to reduce flood risk for 182,000 homes over the last three years.
"We are spending more than £2.17bn over four years to protect people from flooding and our successful partnership funding model will draw in around an additional £72m.
"The money for flood defences is being spent more effectively than ever before and we now expect to exceed our target to better protect another 145,000 homes by 2015."
The CCC report comes as findings suggest CO2 emissions are making extreme weather events much more likely. The CCC says the UK government needs to take this threat more seriously.
Some 40,000 new properties have been built in areas of substantial flood risk.
And while the Environment Agency urged a £20m a year increase in flood defence spending to keep up with climate change, funds were in fact cut by 12%.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 April 2004
Flooding costs set to rise up to '20-fold'
Flooding and coastal erosion damage may rise by between two and 20-fold inside the next 100 years, according to a government report published today.
Flooding costs set to rise up to '20-fold'
Flooding and coastal erosion damage may rise by between two and 20-fold inside the next 100 years, according to a government report published today.
16 November 2007
Government Must Revise Flood Defence Spending
Councils have urged the government to bring forward its timetable for investment in flood defences or risk a repeat of the devastation caused by floods during the summer.
Government Must Revise Flood Defence Spending
Councils have urged the government to bring forward its timetable for investment in flood defences or risk a repeat of the devastation caused by floods during the summer.
11 November 2005
Flood-risk homes to receive better insurance deal
Homeowners whose properties are at risk of flooding are to benefit from better deals on insurance, under new proposals announced by the Association of British Insurers.
Flood-risk homes to receive better insurance deal
Homeowners whose properties are at risk of flooding are to benefit from better deals on insurance, under new proposals announced by the Association of British Insurers.
25 November 2011
Met Scientist Awarded For Extreme Weather Discovery
One of the Met Office’s leading scientists has won a prestigious award for research, which has shed new light on how climate change could influence extreme weather over Europe. Dr Adam Scaife has won the Climate Change category of the Lloyd’s Science of Risk Prize, which recognises leading research that could have a big impact on risk management.
Met Scientist Awarded For Extreme Weather Discovery
One of the Met Office’s leading scientists has won a prestigious award for research, which has shed new light on how climate change could influence extreme weather over Europe. Dr Adam Scaife has won the Climate Change category of the Lloyd’s Science of Risk Prize, which recognises leading research that could have a big impact on risk management.
08 June 2004
Climate change could see insurance claims treble
Climate change could treble claims for storm and flood damages by 2050, according to an insurance industry report published today. British insurers have warned that action over climate change is needed to ensure that insurance cover, and premiums, remain readily available and affordable.
Climate change could see insurance claims treble
Climate change could treble claims for storm and flood damages by 2050, according to an insurance industry report published today. British insurers have warned that action over climate change is needed to ensure that insurance cover, and premiums, remain readily available and affordable.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
