Carol Mochan backs Scottish Labour’s call for SNP Government to think again about budget cuts to SEPA after she visits flood hit New Cumnock
After visiting New Cumnock, hit by the recent floods, Carol Mochan, Scottish Labour candidate for Carrick Cumnock and Doon Valley said
“It is so important we listen to local people to find out what can be done to help straight away as well as looking at long-term solutions. The community of New Cumnock has pulled together and I have heard some heartening stories and great praise for the Emergency Services. However people are very concerned about the future and what help can be offered to people badly affected.
Scottish Labour’s environment spokesperson, Sarah Boyack, has already called on the SNP government to reverse its planned cut of SEPA’s budget from £39m to £36.6m in 2016-17. They have also frozen the money for national assets and flooding at £9.1m. Local Councils are struggling with resources and funding. This is not the kind of response we deserve from the Scottish Government.
It’s exactly 2 years ago that New Cumnock faced the devastation of flooding. Local Labour MSP Graeme Pearson and the local Labour Councillors brought together all the key agencies to hear public concern and identify what needed to be done. Here we are again facing more flooding misery. We know the terrible effects of events such as this on communities and businesses and we must act now. The start of 2016 has reminded us that we also need to stay focused on the impact that severe weather incidents will cause. Communities must be protected from flooding, but we also need to see investment to ensure our infrastructure, particularly transport and housing are resilient for the future.”
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After visiting New Cumnock, hit by the recent floods, Carol Mochan, Scottish Labour candidate for Carrick Cumnock and Doon Valley said
“It is so important we listen to local people to find out what can be done to help straight away as well as looking at long-term solutions. The community of New Cumnock has pulled together and I have heard some heartening stories and great praise for the Emergency Services. However people are very concerned about the future and what help can be offered to people badly affected.
Scottish Labour’s environment spokesperson, Sarah Boyack, has already called on the SNP government to reverse its planned cut of SEPA’s budget from £39m to £36.6m in 2016-17. They have also frozen the money for national assets and flooding at £9.1m. Local Councils are struggling with resources and funding. This is not the kind of response we deserve from the Scottish Government.
It’s exactly 2 years ago that New Cumnock faced the devastation of flooding. Local Labour MSP Graeme Pearson and the local Labour Councillors brought together all the key agencies to hear public concern and identify what needed to be done. Here we are again facing more flooding misery. We know the terrible effects of events such as this on communities and businesses and we must act now. The start of 2016 has reminded us that we also need to stay focused on the impact that severe weather incidents will cause. Communities must be protected from flooding, but we also need to see investment to ensure our infrastructure, particularly transport and housing are resilient for the future.”
Ends