Demand management and planning needed now to combat flooding - Baker

3.30.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Apr 2004

The Foresight Future Flooding report, released today by Sir David King and supported by the DTI and DEFRA, claims that the cost of flooding damage and coastal erosion could increase by 20 times in the next century.

The report concludes that spending could be reduced if emissions of greenhouse gases were reduced.

Commenting, Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"This report demonstrates yet again both the seriousness of the threat we face from climate change and the significant cost to the economy of doing nothing.

"It's all very well for Tony Blair to preach to the world that action is needed, but he must set an example at home.

"We must have further examination of planning requirements to take account of Sir David King's predictions to ensure we are not building ourselves more problems for the future.

"The Government must also introduce demand management for transport rather than allowing the present free-for-all, which leads to massive increases in carbon emissions, to go on."