Prospective MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca Pow is delighted that the countryside is being recognised in flood repair funding just announced by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, MP .

‘Countryside areas are no less important than our urban areas and I welcome the news that Mr Pickles has recognised this in his announcement in the House of Commons today.  It means that those poor people so devestated by the floods on the Somerset Levels around Burrowbridge and Stoke St Gregory in Taunton Deane, should be able to get their fair share of the £130 million just announced to help repair flood damage.‘   

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles MP has given his statement to the House of Commons, saying "as the dark skies clear there will be lessons to be learned." 

Mr Pickles announced the Government would be providing an additional £130million to help with repairs as a result of flooding.

He said: "We will work to defend both town and country. I do not agree with Lord Smith's [chairman of the Environment Agency] comments which implied there was a choice between town and country."

Mr Pickles said by the end of autumn, a six-year plan to prevent future flooding will have been published.

He added: "We cannot control the weather but we will provide the security that hard working families deserve."