Sir Keir Starmer unveiled proposals for a new flood preparedness taskforce while visiting flood victims in Loughborough Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA < p >Street drains will be cleared every autumn under Labour's plans to prevent people's homes from flooding, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
Sir Keir said more money would be spent on “preventative work”, accusing the Government of react too slowly to heavy rains.
The Labor leader made the remarks as he unveiled proposals for a new flood preparedness taskforce during a visit to Loughborough, Leicestershire.
He said “practical, sensible” ways of reducing the risk of flooding in homes were being hampered by poor organization at locally and nationally.
Speaking to residents whose homes had been damaged by flooding, he said ministers had failed to “get the basics right” in terms of prevention.
“We have to get ahead of this and that means that at the beginning of the year, in the fall, we will create a working group that will bring together local authorities, emergency response, the local population to ensure that preventative work is carried out,” he said.
“ Some of the drains that are being cleaned could have been cleaned earlier – the response was not fast enough. I just don't think it's enough for the government to come after this event and express sympathy.”
Asked whether he would put more money into flood preparations, he added: “Of course, money is needed, but the task force's job is not just about money. It's about getting the basics done, cleaning out the drains. These floods always happen in December, January, February – we know that.
“What we need to do is get local plans together in early autumn to make sure all measures are in place to prevent this and ensure a very quick response. It is the practical and sensible thing to do.”
More than 1,800 homes in the south of England and the Midlands were flooded after Storm Henk swept through the country, causing torrential rain.
Speaking during a visit to Oxford at the weekend, Rishi Sunak defended the government's handling of the crisis, saying it would invest £5.2 billion in flood defences. Ministers also launched a flood compensation scheme, with households eligible to receive £500 and small businesses up to £2,500.
Last month, a National Audit Office report warned that the UK was unprepared properly. climate disasters, including increased risk of floods. It said: “Recent events have shown that the government must do more to help prepare for and build resilience to extreme weather.”
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