An inquiry into the recent flooding has been launched by environment secretary, Hilary Benn. It comes just days after floods recovery minister, John Healey, announced an £8m funding package for 34 disaster-hit local authorities as part of the immediate flood-recovery package publicised by the prime minister last week. Two of the worst-affected authorities, Kingston upon Hull City Council and Doncaster MBC, will receive £2.1m and £1.6m respectively. Martin Winter, mayor of Doncaster, said: ‘I am pleased the Government has recognised the seriousness of the situation in Doncaster and has made available the second-highest amount given to any affected area.' A spokesman for Sheffield, which will receive £600,000, welcomed the inquiry after estimating it would cost some £30m to repair roads and structures. ‘The floods have caused devastation in some parts of the country, and we'd like to know if anything could have been done to prevent this happening and what can be done to minimise the risk of future flooding,' he said. The inquiry will look at flood-risk management, the emergency response and the transfer to recovery.
