MAYOR: DEFRA MUST LEVEL UP SOUTH YORKSHIRE FLOODING FUNDS

Published 7 October 2020 at 2:14pm

Ahead of a summit with Ministers from the Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) on flooding in South Yorkshire, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis said:

“I’m pleased the Government has agreed to convene this flooding summit. I’m absolutely clear this must not be a one-off session, followed by a return to business as usual. This must be the start of a constructive, ongoing dialogue with Defra and the Environment Agency, so alongside local leaders from across Yorkshire, we see action that keeps families and businesses safe.

“This means closing the funding gap for schemes, developing a strategy for the River Don catchment which includes natural defences, and reforming how the Treasury allocates funding so it truly levels up spending between regions.

“The Government must make a start at the Comprehensive Spending Review, by unlocking funding for shovel-ready schemes which will make vital progress in protecting homes and businesses from harm.”