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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Sayeed:: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much grant aid has been paid to the Environment Agency and its flood defence committees for flood defence in England in each of the past five financial years; how much will be allocated to them this financial year; and how much has been allocated under the Government's Spending Review 2002 for the next three financial years. [90816] Mr. Morley: The Environment Agency (EA) receives the bulk of its funding for management of flood risk through levies on local authorities which are largely reimbursed by central Government through the ODPM's funding stream to local authorities. Defra provides grant aid to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities (EA, local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their capital works and related studies in the management of risk from flooding and coastal erosion. In the case of the EA, additional contributions are made to support national initiatives such as the flood warning public awareness campaign, the national flood and coastal defence database and catchment flood management plans. Figures in cash terms for Defra grant allocated in the current and five past years are: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Grant (£ million) 1997-98 (actual)1 43.0 1998-99 (actual) 33.8 1999-2000 (actual) 33.0 2000-2001 (actual) 41.9 2001-02 (actual) 61.5 2002-03 (forecast) 70.0 2003-04 (forecast)2 69.0 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 The initial allocations for 1997-98 was increased significantly in year by redistribution of funds from elsewhere in the Department. 2 Spending provision of £114 million for all authorities for 2003-04 proved insufficient to meet investment needs and Defra has increased this to £136 million. However, a number of unusually large local authority projects have meant the EA allocation has had to remain at much the same level as for 2002-03. Allocations are decided annually and the EA's for 2004-05 and 2005-06 have not yet been set. However indicative figures, which will be subject to change, at £80 million and £110 million respectively.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

90816; 399 c882-3W;399 c878-9W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Finance Flood control Expenditure Grants Environment Agency Floods Public expenditure

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk