Lib Dems pledge £5bn for flood prevention

The Liberal Democrats have outlined plans for a £5 billion fund to improve flood defences across the UK, to be paid for through government borrowing.

As Yorkshire and the Midlands continue to deal with the effects of severe flooding, the Liberal Democrats said it would help build resilience and ensure all communities can get the cash they need in a crisis.

Setting out the plans, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said the recent floods were ‘devastating for local communities and highlight the need to invest our flood defences’, before adding that Brexit ‘will mean that we lose access to the EU solidarity fund for flood relief and the EU structural investment funds that help maintain and strengthen flood defences and improve flood resilience’.

The party is also pledging to increase the environment department's budget by £1 billion per year.