Keetch seeks assurance on flood defence scheme

9.37.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Aug 2006

Paul Keetch MP in Hereford supporting a campaign for flood defences for the city

In light of the recent announcements that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been ordered to make huge cutbacks in its funding and that the Environment Agency (EA) is to feel the brunt of these cuts, West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Paul Keetch has written to Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the EA to seek urgent assurances that the cuts will have no detrimental effects on the proposed flood defences in Hereford.

Commenting, Mr Keetch said "This announcement by DEFRA could have far reaching effects on the proposed flood defences for the county. I have written to the Chief Executive of the EA to seek her urgent assurances that Herefordshire will not be affected.

"It seems very clear to me that my constituents and many other people in areas at risk from flooding may suffer due to the incompetence over farm subsidies. The failures in the Single Farm Payments subsides should be covered from government emergency funds, not budgets for other vital environment work."