Oaten Urges Continued Flood Charity Funding

Winchester MP Mark Oaten has tabled Early Day Motion 906, which calls for continued funding for the National Flood Forum, the charity that advises on flood management and supports victims of flooding.

The EDM raises awareness of the important work carried out by the NFF in providing support and advice to communities and individuals affected by flooding and calls for continued financial support for NFF activities.

The NFF is an excellent organisation which has been building up vital expertise in flood management over the past several years. They provide rapid deployment of post recovery advice to flooded communities, individuals and businesses, help those affected in the weeks and months after flooding and also provide advice on flood avoidance.

The NFF's running costs are a relatively low £200,000 per year. The Environment Agency has provided financial backing for the development of the NFF for the first three years, but has refused to continue funding.

Therefore, Mark has urged water companies to consider providing their share of the funding necessary for the NFF to continue its operations and has called on the Government urgently to discuss flood funding with all the parties involved.

Mark Oaten commented:

“This is an issue I really feel strongly about. The NFF is an important charity that provides vital support for flood victims. I saw first hand the huge costs of flooding in my constituency several years ago and fully support the aims of the NFF.

‘I understand that the annual NFF costs amount to only £200 thousand and in my view this is a very good value for money. So I was very surprised to hear that the Environment Agency has refused to continue funding for NFF leaving the charity facing a significant lack of funds. I hope, given the importance of this organisation, that this decision may be changed.

‘Given the support that the NFF offers to customers of water companies, I would think it is very much in the interests of those water companies to financially support the NFF and work with them.’