ANNIVERSARY OF STORM DESMOND

That this House recognises that the flooding caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015 was the most extreme on record in the UK; stands in solidarity with the thousands of people who had their homes and businesses damaged by the storm, many of whom are still struggling three years after the storm; commends emergency workers, volunteers and local communities for their work to help flood victims; recognises that many people across Cumbria are still being affected by floods that are preventable; encourages the development of a new national flood relief and resilience scheme to better protect communities from future flooding; condemns the pushing back of essential flood defence work in Kendal, Burneside and Staveley and by the complete lack of investment in flood defences in Windermere, Backbarrow and Bowness; calls on the Government to ensure that the flood relief scheme for the River Kent is completed as soon as possible for the peace of mind of residents and businesses.