Responding to the National Audit Office’s new report on strategic flood risk management published today (Wednesday 5 November 2014), which strongly criticises the Government for cutting investment in flood defence maintenance, Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole said: “The NAO’s findings are a damning indictment of Government neglect. The Coalition is letting flood defences crumble as sea levels rise and extreme weather worsens.
“Failure to tackle climate change carries a huge cost, as the devastating floods that battered Britain last winter showed.
“The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement next month must set out how he will defend Britain from climate change – both by plugging the £500m hole in flood defence spending, and by slashing carbon emissions.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The National Audit Office report is published on 5 November 2014 and will be available on its website.
2. The Committee on Climate Change earlier this year also criticised government for underinvesting in flood defence capital projects, highlighting a £500m gap between current investment and what is needed to keep pace with climate change.
3.The Association of British Insurers, Aviva UK, National Flood Forum and Friends of the Earth recently called on the Chancellor to take action on flooding and climate change in his Autumn Statement, and close the £500m shortfall in flood defence investment. Their joint letter can be read here.
For press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
