100,000 HOMEOWNERS AT RISK AS GOVERNMENT CUTS FLOOD DEFENCES - HUHNE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 24th Jul 2006

Cuts in funding for flood defenses could put homeowners at risk.

The Liberal Democrats have pressed the Government to guarantee that there will be no cut in the money allocated to build up flood defences.

In a letter to the Environment Secretary, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP asked that the Government reaffirm its commitment to increased flood defences, which was part of the deal struck with insurance companies to guarantee cover for homeowners.

Commenting, Mr Huhne said:

"If the Government goes back on its promises, the insurers are likely to feel no obligation to continue cover for 100,000 homes that are not commercially easy to insure because of flooding.

"It would also send out a counter-productive signal that the Government is not taking climate change seriously. Climate change policy must have two elements: stopping the problem getting worse through curbing greenhouse gases, and tackling the consequences of the existing problem.

"Carbon dioxide lingers in the atmosphere for a century which is why we need strong policies to adapt to the consequences for flooding and storm surges. We need sea and flood defences together with tougher building standards to withstand more extreme weather events."