Budget's missed opportunity on floods

The Chancellor "missed an opportunity to set out a longer term approach to tackling the increased risk of flooding", according to environmentalists.

WWF-UKsaid while George Osborne's announcement of an additional £140m for the repair and maintenance of flood defences is welcome, a long-term approach is needed.

It should include "incentivising farmers and others to manage land so that water is retained upstream for longer, rather than rushing into our lowlands and urban areas", a spokesman said.

"Using our natural assets better to mitigate the worst impacts of extreme weather is the right long-term approach for the economy, communities and the environment."

WWF-UKsaid the growing low carbon sector has been left uncertain about the Government’s support for their businesses.

"Mr Osborne could have sent a strong signal that he backs both UK leadership on climate change and the industries that will take us to a low carbon future by confirming his support for the Fourth Carbon Budget and its ambitious emission reduction targets for the 2020s," the spokesman said.

"That announcement did not come today – we need to hear it soon to give the necessary boost to a low carbon sector that already employs close to a million people in the UK."