MP leads Parliamentary debate on more funding for flood hit communities in Cumbria

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron led a debate in Parliament this morning calling for more funding to help flood hit communities across the county.

During the debate, Tim made the case for Cumbria, as the wettest county in England, to get the recurring funding it needs to make resilient and to keep our families and businesses safe.

Tim called for the funding formula to be changed in order to take into account the effect of climate change in leading to more extreme weather events which were damaging towns and villages across Cumbria.

During the speech, Tim said: "Flood prevention is not just about protecting properties, it is about protecting the wellbeing and mental health of those who live in them.

"I confess to being hugely affected by what I saw and experienced as I helped people to empty their homes the day after Storm Desmond.

"I saw forlorn decorated Christmas trees and sometimes Christmas presents, stood sodden outside people's doors.

"I stood with people made destitute - barely able to afford to feed their children and pay the rent in the first place, who had been unable to afford insurance and who now faced utter ruin.

"We cannot give people a guarantee that they won't flood again, but we can massively reduce the risk and help people give themselves permission to have confidence in the future, to reassure their children and to sleep easier in their homes."