27 July 2007
Communities in the Thames Valley were bracing themselves for more flooding as operations continued to restore tap water supplies to 350,000 people in western England after thousands of hectares were inundated.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the Commons that the emergency was 'far from over' and further flooding was 'very likely'. He said an extra £10m would be forwarded to local authorities to cope with the emergency. The Department for Children, Schools and Families was also reserving £10m for schools and children's services in the affected areas.
The government was also expected to apply for emergency European Union aid worth hundreds of millions of pounds to foot the bill for the clean-up operation following the crisis. The prime minister's spokesman said: 'EU money is available. The government is on the case.'
The focus was switching to minimising future flooding problems. Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young said that about £1bn a year was needed to improve defences.
PFjul2007
