Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings he has had on the winter 2019-20 flooding with hon. Members whose constituencies were affected.

The Government recognises the impact that flooding has had on individuals, local communities and businesses and sympathises with all those affected. Following the winter 2019-20 flooding, the Secretary of State, myself and the department have been actively engaging with hon Members whose constituencies were affected.

The Secretary of State has made a number of site visits and hosted an event following the winter floods in November 2019 and February 2020. These included visits to Ironbridge and Shrewsbury. He has also met individual Members including the hon Member for Halifax and the Rt Hon Member for Newark to discuss flooding in their constituencies.

In addition, I have taken part in a Westminster Hall debate on the South Yorkshire flooding with several affected Members. I have also met hon Members to discuss flooding in their constituencies including the hon Member for North East Derbyshire, the hon Member for Brigg and Goole and the hon Member for Don Valley. I have also attended an end of day debate with the hon Member for West Worcestershire.

I also attended an all-party meeting about the Severn Valley, held on 21 July 2020. The hon Members for Shrewsbury and Atcham, Gloucester, Montgomeryshire, West Worcestershire, Ludlow, North Herefordshire, Stroud, Stafford, and Defra's Parliamentary Private Secretary, the hon Member for Brecon and Radnorshire, attended.

I have been in contact with hon Members from the South Yorkshire area on the issue of a round table and I expect to be able to confirm a date very soon.