PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FLOOD LEVY PROPOSALS (13 July 2010)

That this House notes the remarks of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 July 2010 indicating that the Coalition Government is preparing plans to levy extra revenue on householders and businesses in areas where flood protection works are required, in order to compensate for planned cuts to the previous Government's programme of flood defence work; observes that many of the areas vulnerable to flooding are also some of the most deprived areas of the country; believes that any flood tax, possibly added to council tax and water rates bills, will be another regressive and unfair burden on householders and local businesses in these communities, requiring many of the poorest to pay, yet again, for a deficit caused by the greed of some in the international banking and speculative finance industry; welcomes a constructive debate about how partnerships with the private sector can reinforce a sustained national programme of flood defence investment; and urges the Government not to pursue the option of a flood tax for financing essential flood protection works.

Sponsored by:
Dame Diana Johnson (Labour)