§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase funding to the Environment Agency for flood prevention measures. [58677]
§ Mr. MorleyFunding of the Environment Agency's expenditure on flood defence is met mainly by levies on local authorities. The cost of the levies is reflected in local authorities' Standard Spending Assessments (part of the Revenue Support Grant settlement). Capital works are also eligible for MAFF grant. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, MAFF is making £23 million of additional funding available over the next three years for capital works. The distribution of this funding between operating authorities (of which the Environment Agency is one) will depend on the relative urgency and priority of their planned works.