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| Cameron defends flood defence spending amid calls for 'complete rethink' - live | Cameron defends flood defence spending amid calls for 'complete rethink' - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.24pm GMT14:24 | |
| The Yorkshire Evening Post fulminates against the government, arguing that it would never have allowed London or the south-east to be devastated by floods. It said in an editorial: | |
| It remains the case that such events, like those witnessed in this city, are unthinkable in London and much of the South East, where state-of-the-art flood defences have long been in place. | |
| The Yorkshire Post also brought up the north-south divide theme, when it accused the government of mouthing platitudes. | |
| The prime minister repeatedly used the word ‘unprecedented’ to describe this winter’s storms. Yet every fortnight brings ‘unprecedented’ levels of new flooding and the same pious platitudes from politicians, like environment secretary Liz Truss, whose rhetoric is increasingly economical with the truth. | |
| The north-south divide was also picked up by Judith Blake, the council leader in Leeds, who said: | |
| I think we’re beginning to feel that very strongly. At that time there were other flooding events in the north that didn’t get anywhere near the support that we saw going into Somerset. | |
| David Cameron sought to deflect such criticisms when he visited York. The prime minister insisted that £100m had been spent in Yorkshire on flood defences since 2010 with plans to invest another £280m. He rejected allegations of a north-south divide in funding for flood defences. | |
| That’s not the case. We spend more per head on flood defences in the north of England than we do in the south of England, and here in Yorkshire we are almost trebling the amount we will be spending in the current parliament. What matters is that we spend the right amount in the right places, and that’s what our review will make sure is happening.” | |
| @BBCLookNorth @suttonnick @Johnston_Press pic.twitter.com/lFlNYCck7r | |
| 1.39pm GMT13:39 | 1.39pm GMT13:39 |
| Hebden Bridge, with a population of 4,500, was one of the worst hit by flooding in the Upper Calder Valley. A severe flood warning remained in place, while hundreds were flooded out in neighbouring Todmorden. Clink on the link below to see the rise in water levels. | Hebden Bridge, with a population of 4,500, was one of the worst hit by flooding in the Upper Calder Valley. A severe flood warning remained in place, while hundreds were flooded out in neighbouring Todmorden. Clink on the link below to see the rise in water levels. |
| Updated at 1.46pm GMT | Updated at 1.46pm GMT |
| 1.20pm GMT13:20 | 1.20pm GMT13:20 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| 1.01pm GMT13:01 | 1.01pm GMT13:01 |
| Helen Pidd | Helen Pidd |
| The Guardian’s North of England editor, reports from York. | The Guardian’s North of England editor, reports from York. |
| Much of the historic centre of York remains cut off by floods after the rivers Ouse and Foss peaked at record levels on Sunday. | Much of the historic centre of York remains cut off by floods after the rivers Ouse and Foss peaked at record levels on Sunday. |
| Standing on the Tower Street bridge over the Foss on Monday morning, one woman waved frantically at her niece, who was wearing a bright red onesie on a first floor balcony. Gillian Laverty, 34, was stuck in a block of flats on the other side of the swollen Foss basin, just 100 metres away from the Foss Barrier, which was opened on Sunday after the adjoining pumping station was inundated with flood water, disabling some of the electrics inside. | Standing on the Tower Street bridge over the Foss on Monday morning, one woman waved frantically at her niece, who was wearing a bright red onesie on a first floor balcony. Gillian Laverty, 34, was stuck in a block of flats on the other side of the swollen Foss basin, just 100 metres away from the Foss Barrier, which was opened on Sunday after the adjoining pumping station was inundated with flood water, disabling some of the electrics inside. |
| Many locals criticised the decision to lift the £3.3m barrier, which caused around 600 homes and businesses in supposedly safe areas of the city to be flooded for the first time in decades. One is rented by Laverty, a primary school teacher, who had cut short her Christmas holiday with her husband, Chris, when they saw on the news that York’s rivers were rising dangerously. | Many locals criticised the decision to lift the £3.3m barrier, which caused around 600 homes and businesses in supposedly safe areas of the city to be flooded for the first time in decades. One is rented by Laverty, a primary school teacher, who had cut short her Christmas holiday with her husband, Chris, when they saw on the news that York’s rivers were rising dangerously. |
| The couple rushed back and managed to wade through water to reach their ground floor flat, which had already been inundated with water. Everything on the floor was ruined, said her aunt, Jennie Lunn, as she stood on the bridge trying in vain to get through on the phone. | The couple rushed back and managed to wade through water to reach their ground floor flat, which had already been inundated with water. Everything on the floor was ruined, said her aunt, Jennie Lunn, as she stood on the bridge trying in vain to get through on the phone. |
| With the internet and landlines down in much of the city centre, as well as patchy coverage on mobile phone networks, many of those stuck resorted to sending sporadic texts, which got through every few tries. Laverty managed to send a few texts to tell her aunt that she was fine and that she could see the bins in the back yard now, which meant the waters were receding. | With the internet and landlines down in much of the city centre, as well as patchy coverage on mobile phone networks, many of those stuck resorted to sending sporadic texts, which got through every few tries. Laverty managed to send a few texts to tell her aunt that she was fine and that she could see the bins in the back yard now, which meant the waters were receding. |
| The Lavertys’ upstairs neighbour let the pair use his flat while he was away, and they were waiting for the water level to drop sufficiently to make their escape. They may have to wait some time. On the other side of the Tower Street bridge, Environment Agency officials launched a luminous yellow remote controlled “ARC-boat” which can measure water flow and depth. | The Lavertys’ upstairs neighbour let the pair use his flat while he was away, and they were waiting for the water level to drop sufficiently to make their escape. They may have to wait some time. On the other side of the Tower Street bridge, Environment Agency officials launched a luminous yellow remote controlled “ARC-boat” which can measure water flow and depth. |
| This reading was important for engineers trying to turn back on the Foss barrier down stream, one scientist explained. The water was not flowing very fast, he said, because the river Oase, which normally runs almost parallel to the Foss at that point of town, was “effectively damning it”. | This reading was important for engineers trying to turn back on the Foss barrier down stream, one scientist explained. The water was not flowing very fast, he said, because the river Oase, which normally runs almost parallel to the Foss at that point of town, was “effectively damning it”. |
| Updated at 1.21pm GMT | Updated at 1.21pm GMT |
| 12.52pm GMT12:52 | 12.52pm GMT12:52 |
| Here is footage of David Cameron defending the government’s record on flood defence. | Here is footage of David Cameron defending the government’s record on flood defence. |
| Cameron: We'll Reassess Flood Defence Spending https://t.co/mSJbnPPmJ3 | Cameron: We'll Reassess Flood Defence Spending https://t.co/mSJbnPPmJ3 |
| Updated at 12.54pm GMT | Updated at 12.54pm GMT |
| 12.37pm GMT12:37 | 12.37pm GMT12:37 |
| There is much discussion about the Environment Agency’s decision to open flood defences in York. After flood water rushed into the engine room at the Foss barrier on Sunday, the EA made the decision to open the defence scheme, sending water coursing through the city streets, the Yorkshire Post reports. | There is much discussion about the Environment Agency’s decision to open flood defences in York. After flood water rushed into the engine room at the Foss barrier on Sunday, the EA made the decision to open the defence scheme, sending water coursing through the city streets, the Yorkshire Post reports. |
| The leader of York Council, Chris Steward, told the Yorkshire Post that decision meant that areas that would have ordinarily been protected were flooded. | The leader of York Council, Chris Steward, told the Yorkshire Post that decision meant that areas that would have ordinarily been protected were flooded. |
| “The Environment Agency did not want the barrier to lock in place. They didn’t deploy the barrier, which meant areas that would normally be protected were flooded, such as Huntingdon Road, Yearsley Crescent and Foss Island. | “The Environment Agency did not want the barrier to lock in place. They didn’t deploy the barrier, which meant areas that would normally be protected were flooded, such as Huntingdon Road, Yearsley Crescent and Foss Island. |
| “Obviously it’s a guessing game as to what would have happened had they not taken that decision,” he said. “But it’s in the next weeks and months that we’ll be asking questions about that - not right now.” | “Obviously it’s a guessing game as to what would have happened had they not taken that decision,” he said. “But it’s in the next weeks and months that we’ll be asking questions about that - not right now.” |
| The Foss Barrier, built in 1987, is usually brought down to stop the River Ouse from flowing back up to the channel of the River Foss. But yesterday, the levels of the Ouse got so high that the control room was being inundated with water, and the eight pumps which pump 32,000 litres of water per second were in danger of failing due to being flooded. | The Foss Barrier, built in 1987, is usually brought down to stop the River Ouse from flowing back up to the channel of the River Foss. But yesterday, the levels of the Ouse got so high that the control room was being inundated with water, and the eight pumps which pump 32,000 litres of water per second were in danger of failing due to being flooded. |
| If the barrier had remained closed, without the pumps running, 1,800 properties would have potentially flooded, the EA said. | If the barrier had remained closed, without the pumps running, 1,800 properties would have potentially flooded, the EA said. |
| 12.25pm GMT12:25 | 12.25pm GMT12:25 |
| More on the resilience theme, this time from Laurence Waterhouse, director of civil engineering flood consultancy Pell Frischmann. He tells PA that flood resilience measures, including concreting floors and replacing materials such as MDF and plasterboard with more robust alternatives, would have a real impact on properties returning to normal. | More on the resilience theme, this time from Laurence Waterhouse, director of civil engineering flood consultancy Pell Frischmann. He tells PA that flood resilience measures, including concreting floors and replacing materials such as MDF and plasterboard with more robust alternatives, would have a real impact on properties returning to normal. |
| At the moment, we have no idea what is causing the flooding. Is it climate change, is it El Nino, who knows? All I know is that something is happening and we have to mitigate against it. I think the main thing we need to focus on in this country is flood resilience - we need properties in this country which can withstand it. We are going to have to live with flooding. It’s here to stay. We need to be prepared. | At the moment, we have no idea what is causing the flooding. Is it climate change, is it El Nino, who knows? All I know is that something is happening and we have to mitigate against it. I think the main thing we need to focus on in this country is flood resilience - we need properties in this country which can withstand it. We are going to have to live with flooding. It’s here to stay. We need to be prepared. |
| 12.16pm GMT12:16 | 12.16pm GMT12:16 |
| Cameron: 'We're going to spend a lot more' | Cameron: 'We're going to spend a lot more' |
| David Cameron has been defending the government’s record on flood defences. He says the budget is rising and now stands at £2.3bn. | David Cameron has been defending the government’s record on flood defences. He says the budget is rising and now stands at £2.3bn. |
| “We’ve spent a lot of flood defences and we’re going to spend even more in the future,” he told Sky News. | “We’ve spent a lot of flood defences and we’re going to spend even more in the future,” he told Sky News. |
| As for the north-south divide, he said £100m is being spent in Yorkshire and another £280m will be spent. Cameron also indicated that the government is open to suggestions of spending more on flood defence in general. “Let’s have a look and see whether more needs to be done.” | As for the north-south divide, he said £100m is being spent in Yorkshire and another £280m will be spent. Cameron also indicated that the government is open to suggestions of spending more on flood defence in general. “Let’s have a look and see whether more needs to be done.” |
| Updated at 12.38pm GMT | Updated at 12.38pm GMT |
| 12.05pm GMT12:05 | 12.05pm GMT12:05 |
| My colleague, Helen Pidd, has been tweeting from the scene. | My colleague, Helen Pidd, has been tweeting from the scene. |
| A chinook helicopter dropping off sandbags above York pic.twitter.com/KFWtp2syS6 | A chinook helicopter dropping off sandbags above York pic.twitter.com/KFWtp2syS6 |
| Environment Agency using a remote controlled "arc" boat to test the speed of the Foss in York. pic.twitter.com/qvfwdLNYlS | Environment Agency using a remote controlled "arc" boat to test the speed of the Foss in York. pic.twitter.com/qvfwdLNYlS |
| York racecourse is now a rather pretty lake pic.twitter.com/kRGDB2Vd3V | York racecourse is now a rather pretty lake pic.twitter.com/kRGDB2Vd3V |
| 12.02pm GMT12:02 | 12.02pm GMT12:02 |
| Guy Shrubsole, a Friends of the Earth climate campaigner, has criticised the government. | Guy Shrubsole, a Friends of the Earth climate campaigner, has criticised the government. |
| The government can’t keep making excuses that these floods are ‘unprecedented’ because they’ve been warned many times that flooding will get worse with climate change. David Cameron must make sure that his flood resilience review takes full account of the latest climate science and results in needed action. Protecting Britain from worse floods in future means not only strengthening defences, but cutting the carbon pollution that’s super-charging our weather. | The government can’t keep making excuses that these floods are ‘unprecedented’ because they’ve been warned many times that flooding will get worse with climate change. David Cameron must make sure that his flood resilience review takes full account of the latest climate science and results in needed action. Protecting Britain from worse floods in future means not only strengthening defences, but cutting the carbon pollution that’s super-charging our weather. |
| 11.58am GMT11:58 | 11.58am GMT11:58 |
| The forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is for more stormy weather. | The forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is for more stormy weather. |
| Andy Page, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued national severe weather warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday, as an explosively deepening area of low pressure passes to the north-west of the UK. Everyone should be aware of the potential for disruption in places from further flooding and the impacts of the gales to transport, especially in areas such as south-west Scotland where amber ‘be prepared’ warnings are in place. | Andy Page, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued national severe weather warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday, as an explosively deepening area of low pressure passes to the north-west of the UK. Everyone should be aware of the potential for disruption in places from further flooding and the impacts of the gales to transport, especially in areas such as south-west Scotland where amber ‘be prepared’ warnings are in place. |
| 11.51am GMT11:51 | 11.51am GMT11:51 |
| More than 1,000 homes are still without power in Greater Manchester. | More than 1,000 homes are still without power in Greater Manchester. |
| Around 1,200 homes still without power in Greater Manchester following floods https://t.co/WyUyHAHHVD | Around 1,200 homes still without power in Greater Manchester following floods https://t.co/WyUyHAHHVD |
| 11.36am GMT11:36 | 11.36am GMT11:36 |
| David Cameron meets troops on flood duty | David Cameron meets troops on flood duty |
| David Cameron has been meeting the troops who have been helping out with the floods. The government has been getting much flak for cutting flood defences. in 2011, the coalition government announced it would spend 8% less on flood defences - £540m - over the next four years compared with the previous four years. | David Cameron has been meeting the troops who have been helping out with the floods. The government has been getting much flak for cutting flood defences. in 2011, the coalition government announced it would spend 8% less on flood defences - £540m - over the next four years compared with the previous four years. |
| I've been meeting some of the military doing so much to help people hit by floods in York. pic.twitter.com/K5jnnRN8AE | I've been meeting some of the military doing so much to help people hit by floods in York. pic.twitter.com/K5jnnRN8AE |
| Updated at 11.48am GMT | Updated at 11.48am GMT |
| 11.32am GMT11:32 | 11.32am GMT11:32 |
| Judith Blake, the council leader in Leeds, has said the government needs to act now to stop what she sees as a north-south gap in support for prevention schemes. This from PA. | Judith Blake, the council leader in Leeds, has said the government needs to act now to stop what she sees as a north-south gap in support for prevention schemes. This from PA. |
| Blake said a flood prevention scheme for the city was ditched by the government in 2011. And the Labour councillor contrasted the response to floods in the north of England with what happened following the inundation of parts of Somerset last year. | Blake said a flood prevention scheme for the city was ditched by the government in 2011. And the Labour councillor contrasted the response to floods in the north of England with what happened following the inundation of parts of Somerset last year. |
| Asked if she saw the situation in terms of a north-south divide, she said: “I think we’re beginning to feel that very strongly. At that time there were other flooding events in the north that didn’t get anywhere near the support that we saw going into Somerset.” | Asked if she saw the situation in terms of a north-south divide, she said: “I think we’re beginning to feel that very strongly. At that time there were other flooding events in the north that didn’t get anywhere near the support that we saw going into Somerset.” |
| She said that, in response to very high river levels during the 2007 floods, a scheme was drawn up to protect the whole of the city from the River Aire. But, she said, the government pulled the funding in 2011, leaving the council to fund just the first phase of the project, in the city centre. | She said that, in response to very high river levels during the 2007 floods, a scheme was drawn up to protect the whole of the city from the River Aire. But, she said, the government pulled the funding in 2011, leaving the council to fund just the first phase of the project, in the city centre. |
| She said: “I think there’s a real anger growing across the north about the fact that the cuts have been made to the flood defences and we’ll be having those conversations as soon as we are sure that people are safe and that we start the clean-up process and really begin the assess the scale of the damage.” | She said: “I think there’s a real anger growing across the north about the fact that the cuts have been made to the flood defences and we’ll be having those conversations as soon as we are sure that people are safe and that we start the clean-up process and really begin the assess the scale of the damage.” |
| She said: “So there are some very serious questions for government to answer on this and we’ll be putting as much pressure on as possible to redress the balance and get the funding situation equalised so the north get its fair share.” | She said: “So there are some very serious questions for government to answer on this and we’ll be putting as much pressure on as possible to redress the balance and get the funding situation equalised so the north get its fair share.” |
| 11.21am GMT11:21 | 11.21am GMT11:21 |
| 2,000 homes and 400 businesses affected by flooding | 2,000 homes and 400 businesses affected by flooding |
| Some information on the extent of the damage in Leeds. | Some information on the extent of the damage in Leeds. |
| Leeds City council leader says 2000 homes and 400 businesses have been affected in Leeds by the flooding #HeartNews | Leeds City council leader says 2000 homes and 400 businesses have been affected in Leeds by the flooding #HeartNews |
| Updated at 11.46am GMT | Updated at 11.46am GMT |
| 11.16am GMT11:16 | 11.16am GMT11:16 |
| The Yorkshire Post reports that teams from Aviva insurance are on the ground in Yorkshire and Lancashire to meet customers who have been flooded and help them in the recovery process. NFU Mutual, which supports rural communities, has also activated its emergency plans. | The Yorkshire Post reports that teams from Aviva insurance are on the ground in Yorkshire and Lancashire to meet customers who have been flooded and help them in the recovery process. NFU Mutual, which supports rural communities, has also activated its emergency plans. |
| Rob Townend, UK claims director for Aviva, said: “Property damage as a result of flooding or storms is one of the most traumatic events that a homeowner and business can suffer. This trauma places huge responsibilities on us, the insurance industry. We can’t stop the weather, but we can work tirelessly to support our customers affected by the events brought by this horrendous storm.” | Rob Townend, UK claims director for Aviva, said: “Property damage as a result of flooding or storms is one of the most traumatic events that a homeowner and business can suffer. This trauma places huge responsibilities on us, the insurance industry. We can’t stop the weather, but we can work tirelessly to support our customers affected by the events brought by this horrendous storm.” |
| 11.07am GMT11:07 | 11.07am GMT11:07 |
| One of the government’s staunchest critics when it comes to flood defence is Guardian columnist George Monbiot. In a piece two weeks ago, Monbiot made the case for planting more trees and less dredging. | One of the government’s staunchest critics when it comes to flood defence is Guardian columnist George Monbiot. In a piece two weeks ago, Monbiot made the case for planting more trees and less dredging. |
| A rational policy would aim to prevent the flood from gathering in the first place. It would address the problem, literally and metaphorically, upstream. A study in mid-Wales suggests that rainwater’s infiltration rate into the soil is 67 times higher under trees than under sheep pasture. Rain that percolates into the ground is released more slowly than rain that flashes off the surface. But Cumbria’s hills are almost entirely treeless, and taxpayers, through the subsidy regime, fund farmers to keep them that way. | A rational policy would aim to prevent the flood from gathering in the first place. It would address the problem, literally and metaphorically, upstream. A study in mid-Wales suggests that rainwater’s infiltration rate into the soil is 67 times higher under trees than under sheep pasture. Rain that percolates into the ground is released more slowly than rain that flashes off the surface. But Cumbria’s hills are almost entirely treeless, and taxpayers, through the subsidy regime, fund farmers to keep them that way. |
| 10.51am GMT10:51 | 10.51am GMT10:51 |
| Here is the deputy head of the Environment Agency, David Rooke, talking about the need to “waterproof” homes. | Here is the deputy head of the Environment Agency, David Rooke, talking about the need to “waterproof” homes. |
| 10.49am GMT10:49 | 10.49am GMT10:49 |
| The Manchester Evening News has this story about the Mark Addy pub, which was flooded by the River Irwell. Allen Caldwell, the owner, says it’s a write-off. | The Manchester Evening News has this story about the Mark Addy pub, which was flooded by the River Irwell. Allen Caldwell, the owner, says it’s a write-off. |
| The sound system which cost £50,000 has been completely lost. Overall I would estimate the cost of the damage is £150,000 to £200,000. We had just fitted a new kitchen and were due to start serving food next month. The water reached everywhere – the main bar, the cellar, office, and kitchen. We don’t have insurance for flooding – no one would cover us because of the location. | The sound system which cost £50,000 has been completely lost. Overall I would estimate the cost of the damage is £150,000 to £200,000. We had just fitted a new kitchen and were due to start serving food next month. The water reached everywhere – the main bar, the cellar, office, and kitchen. We don’t have insurance for flooding – no one would cover us because of the location. |
| Updated at 10.50am GMT | Updated at 10.50am GMT |
| 10.33am GMT10:33 | 10.33am GMT10:33 |
| The Yorkshire Post berates the government for not spending enough on flood defences. | The Yorkshire Post berates the government for not spending enough on flood defences. |
| Mr Cameron needs to remember that Yorkshire and the north will not become an economic powerhouse if left to the mercy of “unprecedented” weather events because past and present governments failed to invest in adequate flood defences and contingency planning. The prime minister should be aware that the cost of inaction is a greater expense in the long-term, and even more heartache for those families on the flooding frontline. It’s time for the political tide to turn, starting now. | Mr Cameron needs to remember that Yorkshire and the north will not become an economic powerhouse if left to the mercy of “unprecedented” weather events because past and present governments failed to invest in adequate flood defences and contingency planning. The prime minister should be aware that the cost of inaction is a greater expense in the long-term, and even more heartache for those families on the flooding frontline. It’s time for the political tide to turn, starting now. |
| Updated at 10.33am GMT | Updated at 10.33am GMT |
| 10.05am GMT10:05 | 10.05am GMT10:05 |
| Flood rescue teams in York go house to house to evacuate people trapped in buildings. York, Leeds and Manchester have been by affected by the severe weather, alongside scores of towns and villages. Thousands of households and businesses have been evacuated. | Flood rescue teams in York go house to house to evacuate people trapped in buildings. York, Leeds and Manchester have been by affected by the severe weather, alongside scores of towns and villages. Thousands of households and businesses have been evacuated. |
| Updated at 10.33am GMT | Updated at 10.33am GMT |
| 9.59am GMT09:59 | 9.59am GMT09:59 |
| Labour MP Simon Danczuk has become the latest to question foreign aid at a time when money is needed for floods at home. The UK is one of the few rich nations to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on aid every year. | Labour MP Simon Danczuk has become the latest to question foreign aid at a time when money is needed for floods at home. The UK is one of the few rich nations to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on aid every year. |
| “Why do we spend money in Bangladesh when it needs spending in Great Britain? What we need to do is to sort out the problems which are occurring here and not focus so much on developing countries. That has to be our priority,” the MP for Rochdale told BBC Radio Manchester. | “Why do we spend money in Bangladesh when it needs spending in Great Britain? What we need to do is to sort out the problems which are occurring here and not focus so much on developing countries. That has to be our priority,” the MP for Rochdale told BBC Radio Manchester. |
| Danczuk also criticised cuts at the Environment Agency. Although the agency had been pressed to do more prevention work, because of cutbacks we “could not expect that to happen”, he said. | Danczuk also criticised cuts at the Environment Agency. Although the agency had been pressed to do more prevention work, because of cutbacks we “could not expect that to happen”, he said. |
| “It’s all about prevention – I think more could have been done, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think the Environment Agency could have done more to prepare for this. We would have anticipated this and concerns were raised with the Environment Agency.” | “It’s all about prevention – I think more could have been done, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think the Environment Agency could have done more to prepare for this. We would have anticipated this and concerns were raised with the Environment Agency.” |
| Over the weekend, Rochdale was one of the worst affected areas. Flood defences at the Rochdale substation were upgraded in 2010 as part of a £468,000 scheme to protect power supplies against a “one-in-200-years” flood. | Over the weekend, Rochdale was one of the worst affected areas. Flood defences at the Rochdale substation were upgraded in 2010 as part of a £468,000 scheme to protect power supplies against a “one-in-200-years” flood. |
| Updated at 10.34am GMT | Updated at 10.34am GMT |
| 9.31am GMT09:31 | 9.31am GMT09:31 |
| Labour MP Ivan Lewis urges David Cameron to request EU funds for help with floods. | Labour MP Ivan Lewis urges David Cameron to request EU funds for help with floods. |
| Really important intervention by our MEPs calling on PM to apply for support from European Solidarity Fund to help with impact of flooding.1 | Really important intervention by our MEPs calling on PM to apply for support from European Solidarity Fund to help with impact of flooding.1 |
| Fund specifically available to help member states cope with impact of disasters such as flooding. Mystery why Govt so far refused to apply. | Fund specifically available to help member states cope with impact of disasters such as flooding. Mystery why Govt so far refused to apply. |
| 9.24am GMT09:24 | 9.24am GMT09:24 |
| The river Wharfe bursts its banks. | The river Wharfe bursts its banks. |
| Updated at 9.38am GMT | Updated at 9.38am GMT |
| 9.22am GMT09:22 | 9.22am GMT09:22 |
| Walmgate, York. | Walmgate, York. |
| Updated at 9.26am GMT | Updated at 9.26am GMT |
| 9.21am GMT09:21 | 9.21am GMT09:21 |
| York city centre. | York city centre. |
| Updated at 9.37am GMT | Updated at 9.37am GMT |
| 9.19am GMT09:19 | 9.19am GMT09:19 |
| Soldiers resting in between flood duty. | Soldiers resting in between flood duty. |
| Updated at 9.26am GMT | Updated at 9.26am GMT |
| 9.10am GMT09:10 | 9.10am GMT09:10 |
| The GMB union has criticised planned staff cuts at the Environment Agency, which it said would reduce the number of people able to respond to floods out of hours, PA reports. | The GMB union has criticised planned staff cuts at the Environment Agency, which it said would reduce the number of people able to respond to floods out of hours, PA reports. |
| National officer Justin Bowden said a meeting due in the middle of January to decide how many jobs should go in which parts of the country as part of a funding squeeze should be halted. | National officer Justin Bowden said a meeting due in the middle of January to decide how many jobs should go in which parts of the country as part of a funding squeeze should be halted. |
| “You would have thought David Cameron had learned the lesson from the floods of 2013-14. Apparently not,” he said. “GMB members at the Environment Agency still do not know what day-to-day revenue spending will be on maintenance of flood defences from 2016-17 onwards. | “You would have thought David Cameron had learned the lesson from the floods of 2013-14. Apparently not,” he said. “GMB members at the Environment Agency still do not know what day-to-day revenue spending will be on maintenance of flood defences from 2016-17 onwards. |
| “This is apart from the scrapping of hundreds of flood defence schemes due to cuts in spending. The Environment Agency board should ask government to halt these cuts. | “This is apart from the scrapping of hundreds of flood defence schemes due to cuts in spending. The Environment Agency board should ask government to halt these cuts. |
| As things stand, the number of staff who will be available to deal with flooding out of hours is due to fall. There will be a meeting in mid-January 2016 to discuss how many jobs will be cut and where. This meeting should be called off. This month’s weather and flooding are yet another reminder of the foolhardy stupidity of the government making spending cuts to the Environment Agency.” | As things stand, the number of staff who will be available to deal with flooding out of hours is due to fall. There will be a meeting in mid-January 2016 to discuss how many jobs will be cut and where. This meeting should be called off. This month’s weather and flooding are yet another reminder of the foolhardy stupidity of the government making spending cuts to the Environment Agency.” |
| Updated at 9.28am GMT | Updated at 9.28am GMT |
| 9.03am GMT09:03 | 9.03am GMT09:03 |
| Here is our latest flood graphic, showing the worst hit areas. | Here is our latest flood graphic, showing the worst hit areas. |
| 8.50am GMT08:50 | 8.50am GMT08:50 |
| 'We are moving from known extremes to unknown extremes' | 'We are moving from known extremes to unknown extremes' |
| Britain is now facing “unknown extremes” in weather, which means flood defences alone will not prevent disasters and people will need to “waterproof their homes”, David Rooke, the deputy chief executive of the Environment Agency, has said. | Britain is now facing “unknown extremes” in weather, which means flood defences alone will not prevent disasters and people will need to “waterproof their homes”, David Rooke, the deputy chief executive of the Environment Agency, has said. |
| “We are moving from know extremes to unknown extremes,” he told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, adding that no country can guarantee against flooding. | “We are moving from know extremes to unknown extremes,” he told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, adding that no country can guarantee against flooding. |
| Under repeated questioning as to whether the government had done enough on flood protection, Rooke returned to the review the government had set up after the earlier floods in Cumbria. | Under repeated questioning as to whether the government had done enough on flood protection, Rooke returned to the review the government had set up after the earlier floods in Cumbria. |
| “The review will seek to to look at whether assumptions are valid,” he said. “We need to reassess all defences across the country and what protection is needed in the future.” | “The review will seek to to look at whether assumptions are valid,” he said. “We need to reassess all defences across the country and what protection is needed in the future.” |
| He said: “We will need to have that complete rethink and I think we will need to move from not just providing better defences – and we have a £2.3bn programme to do that over the next six years – but looking at increasing resilience so that, when properties do flood, they’ve got solid floors, we have waterproof plaster, we’ve moved the electrics up the wall, people can get back into their homes and their businesses very quickly and that we continue to improve our flood warning systems so that, in the event of defences overtopping, people have time to take action and we can save lives.” | He said: “We will need to have that complete rethink and I think we will need to move from not just providing better defences – and we have a £2.3bn programme to do that over the next six years – but looking at increasing resilience so that, when properties do flood, they’ve got solid floors, we have waterproof plaster, we’ve moved the electrics up the wall, people can get back into their homes and their businesses very quickly and that we continue to improve our flood warning systems so that, in the event of defences overtopping, people have time to take action and we can save lives.” |
| Elizabeth Truss, the environment secretary, announced a national flood resilience review two weeks ago. The review will see the government updating “worst case scenario” planning, consider the future impacts of climate change and carry out a risk assessment of critical infrastructure such as electricity substations. | Elizabeth Truss, the environment secretary, announced a national flood resilience review two weeks ago. The review will see the government updating “worst case scenario” planning, consider the future impacts of climate change and carry out a risk assessment of critical infrastructure such as electricity substations. |
| The review will be led by the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Letwin, and include the government’s chief scientist, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the chief executive of the Environment Agency. | The review will be led by the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Letwin, and include the government’s chief scientist, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the chief executive of the Environment Agency. |
| Rory Stewart, parliamentary undersecretary of state for Defra, will also be taking on a special floods envoy role across Cumbria and Lancashire coordinating the flood recovery operation across local agencies. | Rory Stewart, parliamentary undersecretary of state for Defra, will also be taking on a special floods envoy role across Cumbria and Lancashire coordinating the flood recovery operation across local agencies. |
| Updated at 9.12am GMT | Updated at 9.12am GMT |
| 8.23am GMT08:23 | 8.23am GMT08:23 |
| It’s five days since the waters began to rise and thousands of people across the north of England have been badly affected by flooding. Many areas are expecting some respite today but the storms are expecting to return on Wednesday. Meanwhile, there is a growing political row over government cuts to the country’s flood defence systems. | It’s five days since the waters began to rise and thousands of people across the north of England have been badly affected by flooding. Many areas are expecting some respite today but the storms are expecting to return on Wednesday. Meanwhile, there is a growing political row over government cuts to the country’s flood defence systems. |
| Here is what we know so far this morning: | Here is what we know so far this morning: |
| • The Environment Agency has 24 severe flood warnings in place for north-east England and three severe flood warnings in place for the north-west. | • The Environment Agency has 24 severe flood warnings in place for north-east England and three severe flood warnings in place for the north-west. |
| • There are almost 200 other flood warnings and alerts in place across the area and other parts, including Wales and the Midlands. Three cities – York, Manchester and Leeds – have been badly affected. | • There are almost 200 other flood warnings and alerts in place across the area and other parts, including Wales and the Midlands. Three cities – York, Manchester and Leeds – have been badly affected. |
| • The worst-hit areas will have some respite from rain today but the crisis looks set to continue as more bad weather sweeps in. Rain will batter the north of England on Wednesday with up to three inches (80mm) falling on high ground and potentially in excess of 4.7ins (120mm) in exposed locations – with most places seeing up to 1.5ins (40mm). | • The worst-hit areas will have some respite from rain today but the crisis looks set to continue as more bad weather sweeps in. Rain will batter the north of England on Wednesday with up to three inches (80mm) falling on high ground and potentially in excess of 4.7ins (120mm) in exposed locations – with most places seeing up to 1.5ins (40mm). |
| • The threat in York appears to be easing. Charlie Croft, from York city council, confirmed that river waters in the city had peaked, telling the BBC: “We have to say that we are still in the middle of a major incident, though tentative positive news is that the river may now have stopped rising at this point.” | • The threat in York appears to be easing. Charlie Croft, from York city council, confirmed that river waters in the city had peaked, telling the BBC: “We have to say that we are still in the middle of a major incident, though tentative positive news is that the river may now have stopped rising at this point.” |
| • David Cameron is expected to visit stricken communities today. The government has pledged to look again at the quality of the UK’s flood defences as home and business owners face up to a miserable start to the new year. | • David Cameron is expected to visit stricken communities today. The government has pledged to look again at the quality of the UK’s flood defences as home and business owners face up to a miserable start to the new year. |
| • Five hundred military troops have been mobilised to aid emergency services, with another 1,000 on standby should the situation worsen. Military personnel were mobilised on Sunday to help people in Yorkshire and Lancashire as they battled to keep rising flood waters from the doors of their homes and businesses. | • Five hundred military troops have been mobilised to aid emergency services, with another 1,000 on standby should the situation worsen. Military personnel were mobilised on Sunday to help people in Yorkshire and Lancashire as they battled to keep rising flood waters from the doors of their homes and businesses. |
| Updated at 9.00am GMT | Updated at 9.00am GMT |