To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the flood defence grant in aid budget for the next three financial years for (a) Ribble Valley constituency and (b) the Lancashire county council area; and if he will make a statement; (182691)

I have regular discussions with the Environment Agency on a range of issues including national funding levels. However decisions on individual regional funding allocations are a matter for the agency.

Flood and coastal erosion risk spending will rise from its current level of £600 million to £800 million in 2010-11. No final decisions have yet been made on how these record levels of investment will be allocated but a formal announcement will be made in due course.