With the backing of some of my fellow MPs who have the River Severn flowing through their constituencies, I had the opportunity on 15 November 2023 to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, for an additional £500 million for the River Severn Partnership. The partnership is made up of representatives from local authorities along the River Severn and is chaired by Shropshire Council's Executive Director of Place.
£50m of government funding has already been awarded for initial projects, but additional funding is now needed to enable the partnership to focus on a programme of innovation to reduce flood risk, secure future water resources and improve and deliver shared natural assets.
The Chancellor has just sent me a positive and promising response. I am pleased that the scheme now has the attention of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor and the door is now open for the River Severn Partnership to work with my colleagues in government to progress proposals for their Severn Valley Water Management Scheme.
Click on the attachment to read the Chancellor's letter in full.