Starmer calls for flood preparedness taskforce

The Labour leader Keir Starmer has called on the government to convene a flood preparedness taskforce to ensure communities are not let down again.  

Mr Starmer has called on the prime minister to include regional leaders and frontline services on the taskforce, to ensure communities across England are protected from the combined dangers of flooding and Covid this winter.

The Environment Agency warned people this week to prepare for possible floods as Met Office forecasts showed the next two months may be wetter than usual.

It comes as the Labour Party publishes new analysis, which claims there have been continued cuts to emergency flood response, with fire and rescue services losing more than 11,000 workers – 22% of total staff – since 2010.

Mr Starmer will meet today (17 December) with residents and businesses in South Yorkshire communities which are still not fully recovered from the floods 12 months ago.

With the risk of further flooding this winter, the Labour leader urged the government to act now to ensure communities are protected and that families who may be forced to evacuate – particularly elderly and vulnerable people – are kept safe from the virus.

In November, a National Audit Office (NAO) report warned the proportion of money spent on flood defences in deprived areas has ‘reduced substantially’ in the last six years.

‘The prime minister visited Yorkshire after last year’s floods and made big promises to people affected. But it’s simply not good enough to wait until after disaster strikes to turn up and pledge support,’ said the Labour leader.

‘The government should be convening a flood preparedness taskforce now, involving local leaders and frontline agencies, in case the worst happens over Christmas or New Year.

‘The need for pre-emptive action is especially urgent this year. The pandemic has pushed councils and frontline services to their limits, and people will be extremely anxious at the thought of having to evacuate while the threat of the virus is still very real.’

Photo Credit – TheDigitalArtist (Pixabay)