West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has pressed the case for comprehensive support for homes and businesses affected by Storms Babet and Henk during a meeting with the Government’s Flooding Minister.

The MP held an emergency one-on-one with Robbie Moore to discuss the plight of people who had been flooded for a second time this Winter as heavy rain fell on already saturated land along the rivers Avon, Severn and Teme.

Harriett also raised her concerns about the lack of progress of two permanent flood defence schemes, in Tenbury Wells and Severn Stoke, and urged the Minister to assist getting both underway as quickly as possible.

Since 2010, the MP has championed successful flood schemes for areas including Upton-upon-Severn, Kempsey, Pershore and Uckinghall and she has pledged to press the Department for continued support for the two remaining active schemes.

Last week, Harriett visited home owners and businesses affected by Storm Henk to hear how they were coping with the second serious flood this Winter and also held meetings with the leader and chief executive of Worcestershire County Council.

The Government has opened a second compensation scheme following Storm Henk in addition to the Storm Babet support, and Harriett urged local home owners and businesses to claim from both at the local district council if they have been affected by either or both storms.

Harriett said:

“I am grateful for the Minister’s time to allow me share some of my constituents concerns about the lack of progress on the schemes planned for Tenbury Wells and Severn Stoke and I am reassured that he joins me urging swift action.

“I have pledged to do all I can to get spades in the ground at both locations and the Government shares my eagerness to see work progress.

“I was also keen to share feedback on the support schemes that have been put in place to help home and business owners get back on their feet after flooding. This is a terrible time for some local people, and they don’t want to get caught in red tape and bureaucracy to make a claim.

“Flooding is a terrible blight and it will happen in West Worcestershire again and again. I’ve been fighting for proper local flood defences ever since I was first elected and I don’t plan to stop while there are workable permanent flood schemes on the table.”