George Osborne defends flood defence pledge during Leeds visit
The Chancellor has told Radio Aire that he is committed to doing whatever it takes to protect Leeds and its surrounding areas from flooding.
The Chancellor has told Radio Aire that he is committed to doing whatever it takes to protect Leeds and its surrounding areas from flooding.
George Osbourne said:
“We saw those terrible floods over Christmas and New Year and I want to make sure that we invest in the flood defences of tomorrow, so we protect our cities, villages and towns here in West Yorkshire. I specifically said in the Budget we were raising more money for flood defences, and I specifically said that money would be coming to West Yorkshire. So we’ll be able to fund, not just the scheme in Leeds to protect the City centre, but also ensure that we don’t just push the problem upstream, we’ve got to make sure that villages such as Woodlesford and Methley are protected as well.”
The £150m pledged by the Government will be funded by increasing insurance premium tax for rate payers by 0.5 per cent.
£35m will to go towards Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme to protect 500 homes and businesses upstream from the city’s train station.
The Chancellor has also committed to Phase 3 of the project that would build defences at Allerton Bywater.
He was speaking during a visit to St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Garforth, where he took some time out to meet pupils and staff: