Following the Ministerial statement on the impact of Storm Henk on communities across the UK, Peter Aldous highlights damage done on the East Anglian coast by storms over the past three months, in particular in Pakefield, and raises concerns that flood prevention work is at risk of being delayed by red tape, as it is deemed urgent rather than an emergency.
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)
The various storms over the past three months have caused havoc on the East Anglian coast, not least in Pakefield in my constituency, where time is of the essence to prevent more homes being destroyed. However, this work is at risk of being delayed, as it is deemed urgent rather than an emergency. Will my hon. Friend do all he can to remove such red tape?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Robbie Moore)
I am always up for removing red tape where necessary. I commend my hon. Friend for being a doughty champion for his constituents, because I think this is the fifth time that he has mentioned Pakefield to me, not least in the Westminster Hall debate that he secured just before Christmas to discuss this issue. As he knows, I am more than happy to have a detailed conversation with him and his colleagues along the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline.