Mr Speaker with your kind permission I would like to rise and address the House on the recent flooding in Somerset and Sedgemoor.

Mr Speaker when the Government received news of the flooding the armed forces were immediately deployed with very simple instructions, assist in any way that you are so able. The armed forces have been doing a tremendous job assisting locals, both professional and voluntary, in protecting homes, businesses and indeed the people who live there. I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to them and to the people of Somerset and Sedgemoor who have conducted themselves with distinction over the last few days.

Mr Speaker, reaction is not enough, so earlier today I met with the leaders of Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council at Number 10 Downing Street to discuss future measures that can help people get their lives on track and help prevent future flooding of this magnitude. Mr Speaker these discussions were very fruitful and have resulted in an action plan made possible by this Government's strict control of the national finances. Mr Speaker over the next twenty years central government shall pay out £100mn, that's £5mn per year, to help with recovery and repair costs. This is the exact figure that local councillors said that they wanted and it shall be paid out of a new natural disaster relief and rebuilding fund, legislation on this shall be forthcoming as soon as it is available. Furthermore Mr Speaker it was agreed that £500mn per year shall be made available for flood defence construction and maintenance every year going forward, this money shall be allocated through the usual means in the March Budget.