Starmer slams Sunak’s sluggish response to flooding as hundreds of properties devastated

Keir Starmer has slammed Rishi Sunak’s response to final week’s flooding, as households and companies continued to rely the price of the harm.

The Labour chief toured streets nonetheless being cleared up after the deluges and met locals devastated by them. Mr Starmer laid into No10 as climate consultants extra flooding was on the best way resulting from rising river ranges.

He revealed Labour would arrange a flood resilience job power to verify preventative measures have been in place earlier than heavy winter rains. Mr Starmer stated: “The response wasn’t quick enough. I just don’t think it’s good enough for the Government to come after the event again and express empathy.”

“Get ahead of this with a taskforce. That’s what I would do. Of course it needs money but the taskforce is not just about money. It’s about getting the basics done. Getting those drains cleared. Getting local authorities together. Having a plan.”

Mr Starmer spoke after assembly Ian Clement in Loughborough, Leics, whose dwelling was flooded throughout Storm Henk final week. More than 1,800 properties have been swamped throughout the nation. And the ­Environment Agency warned “significant” floods are anticipated to proceed on elements of the decrease River Trent and alongside the Thames and Severn till tomorrow.

Experts stated the impression of flooding within the East Midlands “will be felt for many months”. Minor groundwater flooding can be anticipated in elements of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire and will hit different elements of the South in addition to Yorkshire. There have been 169 flood warnings in place yesterday and 159 flood alerts. Residents within the Trent Valley have been suggested to arrange for evacuation.

Sleet and snow showers have additionally been forecast for a lot of elements of the nation. The Met Office issued yellow climate warnings for ice. London and the South East are among the many areas anticipated to be hit, with temperatures plunging to 0C.

The Met Office stated: “Given these wintry showers, and also wet surfaces after recent wet weather, some icy patches are likely on untreated surfaces. Additionally a few of the snow showers could turn quite heavy, these probably only affecting a narrow zone but a few places could see 1-3cm, mainly over the North Downs.”

Detling in Kent was hit by snow yesterday as was the Killhope Mining Museum in Co Durham. Temperatures dipped to minus 8C at Altnaharra within the Scottish Highlands and are anticipated to be decrease than common for this time of yr for a lot of the week.