The government will be spending a record amount on flood and costal defences, it has been announced.
Flood and Coastal Defence Minister Elliot Morley confirmed that spending would reach £570m for 2005-2006, up £90m on 2004-2005.
Of the £570m, £443m will be given to the Environment Agency and £54m will be shared between local authorities and internal drainage boards.
The government said the high level of spending would be maintained until 2007-2008, following the 2004 spending review.
