Government rejects bid for fairer funding of Humber flood defences

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has expressed disappointment at news that the Government has rejected the bid for extra funding for Humber Estuary flood defence works.
Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "So far the Government has announced £86m for Humber Estuary tidal flood defence works over the next six years. This is less than 10% of what the Environment Agency says the Humber Estuary needs in the next decade.
"That's why it's so disappointing to have our bid for improved funding rejected. We now need to redouble our efforts on a cross-party basis to fight for a fair deal for Hull and the Humber.
"The bill for not investing enough in flood defences could be billions more in the long term than the cost of taking proper action, including for all those households and businesses who will find flood insurance more expensive and harder to get in coming years.
"As with efforts to fight climate change, we should see flood protection works on the Humber and River Hull as an opportunity for the local economy and job creation not just as a burden."