Gosport MP joins new cross party flooding caucus
By Linden Grigg
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has joined a caucus of parliamentary colleagues committed to addressing issues and concerns about flooding; which has already caused difficulties after a wet period across the county in recent weeks.
Ms Dinenage attended the inaugural Westminster meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group For Flooding under the new Parliament on Wednesday; where the group discussed a range of different topics in preparation for the autumnal and winter months.
It spoke about broad issues around flooding such as access to insurance, sustainable development in flood risk areas, and the future of the Flood Re scheme. This came as part of Flood Action Week and follows Ms Dinenage’s question to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer; focusing on the issue of Alverstoke Flood Defence scheme’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management funding deficit.
Locally, Caroline also recently chaired a meeting of all the stakeholders in Alverstoke Flood Defence scheme within Alverstoke Parish Centre. This established the next steps for the area to ensure residents and businesses were prepared for the winter months, with a resilience event touted for the future.
Following the meeting, Caroline said: “Due to the effects of climate change, there are areas of the Gosport constituency that will experience ever more frequent flood events over the coming years if the right action is not taken. I saw firsthand last April the devastating effects on families, homes, and businesses in Alverstoke when Storm Pierrick hit the Gosport peninsula. There are still homes there left empty from the damage.
She continued: “I am pressing Government urgently for FCERM catch up funding for Alverstoke flood defences, but it’s also important that Government grasps this as a serious national resilience issue that will require joined-up cross-Government action. I have joined the Flooding APPG to help shape recommendations that will help Ministers’ thinking in this area.”
PICTURED BY CAROLINE DINENAGE: View from the All-Party Parliamentary Group For Flooding meeting held in Westminster on Wednesday.