§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what forecasts have been made for funding allocations for the coastal defence budget for the next 10 years. [163575]
§ Mr. MorleyTotal provision for Central Government funding to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities (Environment Agency (EA), local authorities (LAs) and internal drainage boards (IDBs)) for maintenance and improvement of defences against flooding, both coastal and otherwise, and coastal erosion is £467 million in 2004–05 and £539 million in 2005–06.
The operating authorities decide how best to invest this money within the constraints of Defra's funding criteria so funds are not specifically set aside for coastal defences as such. I hope to reserve allocations within the overall 2005–06 figure for the EA, LAs for coast protection, LAs for flood defence and IDBs in October following analysis of operating authority forward plans.
Funding to 2007–08 will be considered in this year's Spending Review. Longer-term funding needs are being considered as part of Defra's "National Assessment of Defence Needs and Costs" and I hope to be in a position to publish findings in the summer.